NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres comes under attack for ‘abandoning’ suburban rugby league grounds
A WAR of words has erupted between Stuart Ayres and Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne, who accused the NSW Sports Minister of “abandoning” spiritual rugby league grounds.
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NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres has fired-up after being accused by a fellow NSW politician of “abandoning and killing off” suburban rugby league grounds.
While Ayres declared he “simply won’t allow Sydney to continue to run last in the sports infrastructure race”, Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne attacked Ayres’ decision to invest $1.6 billion into Sydney’s three major stadiums while neglecting funding towards suburban venues.
Sydney-based NRL clubs remain united in their push for a $200 million Government grant to help upgrade Sydney’s decaying suburban grounds.
Byrne said a $25m investment in each of Sydney’s second-tier suburban grounds — including his own Leichhardt Oval — would help NRL clubs continue playing at their spiritual and historic homes.
“After months of the Baird Government ignoring what rugby league fans want and seeking to kill off suburban grounds, the clubs’ plan has injected some sanity into the debate,” he said.
“It’s time for Mike Baird and Stuart Ayres to realise that Sydney can have international-quality venues without abandoning the heritage and atmosphere of suburban rugby league. For a tiny fraction of the amount Mike Baird and Stuart Ayres are planning to waste on replacing Allianz Stadium at Moore Park ($1.2 billion), the Government could give the much loved home grounds of the Tigers, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Panthers a new lease on life.
“Wests Tigers have committed to playing four games at Leichhardt Oval this year, but have been unable to commit to playing there long-term because of the Government’s campaign to force the Tigers away from their spiritual home.”
Ayres though hit back, telling The Daily Telegraph: “NSW has fallen behind other states when it comes to stadium infrastructure. Failure to invest in our main economic driving stadiums will see us only fall further behind.
“Our policy focuses taxpayer money where it will deliver the best result for the state and at the same time allow boutique venues to continue to have an appropriate place into the future.”
Sydney clubs are fighting the Government’s stadiums strategy. They held a meeting last Friday and plan to meet with the NRL in coming weeks.
The club’s fundamental demand is have more money injected into ANZ Stadium’s revamp and offer-up additional cash to keep suburban grounds functioning to an acceptable level.
“We don’t believe all suburban grounds should get a $300m makeover and be world class but you need a level of funding to keep them practical,” one club CEO said. “Fundamentally, we don’t see the need for a 55,00 seat stadium at Allianz. We have made our position very clear.”
Byrne hopes a grant would allow Wests Tigers to build a Centre of Excellence at Leichhardt Oval.
Originally published as NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres comes under attack for ‘abandoning’ suburban rugby league grounds
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