NRL bosses weigh in on ANZ redevelopment, suburban stadiums
More funds from the scrapped ANZ Stadium rebuild should have gone to suburban grounds in the NSW budget, NRL bosses say.
NSW
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The Penrith Panthers are “bitterly disappointed” more money saved from scrapping the $800 million ANZ Stadium redevelopment was not allocated to new suburban stadiums in Tuesday’s budget.
Chief executive Brian Fletcher said rugby league clubs were “of the belief” the unspent money would go back to the NRL to fund more ground upgrades.
“We just thought when the $800m was saved from ANZ, that (the money) was going to suburban grounds,” Mr Fletcher said.
Only $3m in planning funding for an upgraded Jubilee Oval at Kogarah was included in the budget.
Pressure is building on the NSW government to promise more money to build up to four “boutique” stadiums.
An online poll by the NRL found fans were overwhelmingly in favour of funding suburban grounds over major venues.
Of the 14,934 people who voted, 86 per cent were in favour, and just four per cent were opposed.
The Panthers boss said it “makes sense” to look at proposed stadiums as a whole, rather than commit $3 million to assessing an upgrade at Kogarah.
“Do four at the one time (so) if you are going to build them, you can build them in priority,” Mr Fletcher said.
He said a new stadium at Penrith should be a priority for the government.
While the ANZ revamp has been shelved the government is spending $730m rebuilding the Sydney Football Stadium.
Many of traditional suburban sports grounds are badly in need of a revamp.
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’Landys has championed a plan for up to four new stadiums, including at Manly and Penrith.
St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb welcomed the $3 million for a new Kogarah oval in the budget but has now said it could make more sense to put money towards a case for multiple new grounds.
“I’d be fully supportive of a business case into all of the smaller stadiums, to ensure the $800 million was earmarked for ANZ stadium is used for the betterment of the game, including Kogarah,” he said.
Canterbury Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said: “We would have liked a greater response to the proposed stadium conversation”.
The government has allocated $1m for the business plan this financial year with the rest to come in next year’s budget.
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