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Demolition of Allianz Stadium roof begins just 10 days out from NSW election

The roof of Allianz Stadium is being torn down just 10 days before the NSW state election.

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The roof of Allianz Stadium is being torn down just 10 days before the NSW state election.

Construction workers at the Moore Park site were spotted on Wednesday cutting away the panels which line the roof of the building.

Heavy machinery was also seen removing gyprock walls, ceilings and glass panes from the lower levels and a hand dryer from a bathroom was spotted being thrown from the upper tier into a skip.

Workers cutting a section of the roof off after bigger demolition equipment has moved into Allianz stadium on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger
Workers cutting a section of the roof off after bigger demolition equipment has moved into Allianz stadium on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger

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The stadium demolition has become a hotly contested political issue, with the Liberal/Nationals supporting the $730 million taxpayer funded rebuild which Labor opposes.

NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has based his campaign around saying the money would be better put towards school and hospitals.

Demolition work being carried out at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger
Demolition work being carried out at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger

Last week Premier Gladys Berejiklian finally entered the debate by saying voters could have schools, hospitals and stadiums — not one or the other.

“I want the best schools, the best hospitals, the best roads, the best public transport system — and the best stadiums. The people of NSW deserve nothing less,” she said.

The work is taking place only 10 days out from the NSW election. Picture: John Grainger
The work is taking place only 10 days out from the NSW election. Picture: John Grainger

Court action halted the hard demolition from February 26 to March 9, and an appeal by Local Democracy Matters will be heard on Friday.

A spokeswoman for sports minister Stuart Ayres said the demolition was proceeding as planned.

“Work is proceeding as per program and we have nothing further to add to our statement on Monday,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

The government has labelled legal efforts to halt the work a “political stunt”. Picture: John Grainger
The government has labelled legal efforts to halt the work a “political stunt”. Picture: John Grainger

On Monday Mr Ayres said the court action by Local Democracy Matters was a “political stunt” to “delay the world class infrastructure that NSW deserves”.

The hard demolition of the stadium will only be halted if Justice Nicola Pain decides to impose another injunction on the demolition tomorrow.

The stadium is slowly being ripped apart. Picture: John Grainger
The stadium is slowly being ripped apart. Picture: John Grainger

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/demolition-of-allianz-stadium-roof-begins-just-10-days-out-from-nsw-election/news-story/f3d45f3b65aa0d0c5048232adc6fb438