In a dramatic backflip, the NSW government will fund a major rebuild of ANZ Stadium in Sydney’s west, and Allianz Stadium in the east will have to make do with any money leftover.
ANZ Stadium will be turned into a rectangular stadium, with new seats and a retractable roof. Work will begin by 2019, subject to the government buying out the private sector owner Stadium Australia.
The change of the $1.6bn stadium strategy is a humiliation for Sports Minister Stuart Ayres, who has been accused of doing the bidding of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust in promoting a new Allianz stadium on parkland near the SCG.
Only 48 hours ago, Mr Ayres said that Allianz would get priority over ANZ, and a refurbishment of Allianz would produce a second rate result.
The turnaround came when the Premier Mike Baird took over the process after the government secured agreements with the football codes to play NRL grand finals, Beldisoe Cups and Socceroos matches in Sydney.
The stadium strategy will be taken away from Mr Ayres and given to Infrastructure NSW, which reports to Mr Baird.
“We have secured a great win for the people of NSW through content agreements with the sporting codes,” Mr Baird said.
“It means the country’s premium sports content and major events will be showcased in Australia’s global city for decades to come, as a result of our investment in world-class venues.”
Mr Baird also announced a new $40 million NRL Centres of Excellence fund, under which help NRL clubs upgrade ther suburban grounds. The clubs were reluctant to move to Allianz Stadium.
Renovation of Allianz will also keep its existing tenants, Sydney FC, the NRL Roosters and the Waratahs happy as they will not have to move venues during constrcution
The long term agreements with sporting codes means the NRL grand final and state of Origin will be in Sydney for 20 years,
The long-term content agreements secured with the sporting codes means the grand final and a state of origin match in Sydney for the next 20 years, 10 years of the Bledisloe Cup and an additional test match each year, a guaranteed Lions Tour Test match, along with Rugby Sevens; and a 12 year agreement in principle with the FFA to host at least 12 Socceroos and 12 Matildas matches.
Mr Ayres denied that the announcement was a defeat for him. He said that after lagging behind the other major states in sporting and major events infrastructure, NSW was seizing the opportunity to get in front.
“It is great news for these codes, as participation and attendance grows in the years to come, but more importantly it is great news for the NSW economy,” Mr Ayres said.
The SCG Trust, which runs Allianz Stadium, reacted to the news by saying they would do everything in their power to assist with the implementation of the state government’s plans.
“NSW needs world class sporting facilities and the Trust will continue to work with Government to ensure that the people of NSW have access to the best venues and the biggest events,” SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd said.
“The primary role of the Trust is to do what is best for sport in NSW. It is a role we have performed assiduously for more than 100 years and we will continue to do so.
“The Trust has strong obligations to its 19,000 members from all over Sydney and regional NSW. Their ongoing and loyal support is the basis of our success.
“We will use all resources available to us to provide the best service we can to our members and the broader sporting public of NSW.
“Allianz Stadium and the SCG are part of the community of Moore Park, where we have been located for more than 160 years.
“Moore Park is, always has been, and always will be our home – as well as a place of pilgrimage for sports fans from all over NSW, Australia and the world.
“We will continue to work closely with our vibrant local community and our neighbours Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, EQ and Fox Studios.”
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