Penrith, Kogarah and Brookvale stadiums to get boost in 2021 NSW Budget

The masterplan for suburban stadium investment is in for a boost, with the Treasurer pushing for construction to begin “as soon as possible”.

The masterplan for suburban stadium investment will get a boost in the NSW Budget as Treasurer Dominic Perrottet declared he wants construction to begin “as soon as possible”.

Money will be set aside for further funding on the strategic business cases for the boutique stadiums but will again fall short of funds set aside for construction.

Mr Perrottet said there would be no doubt in Tuesday’s Budget the government was committed to the idea.

A crowd toughs it out at Kogarah in wet weather during a Round 23 2020 A-League match between Sydney FC and Perth Glory. Picture: AAP

It is understood the Budget papers include a proposed date for construction commencing.

The Telegraph revealed this year businesses cases for three options — stadiums at Penrith, Kogarah and Brookvale — were due by May.

But Mr Perrottet now says they will be received “post Budget”.

“I think Sydney in particular, the nature of how we watch sport, and the culture of our state and our people lends itself to that investment in this type of infrastructure,” he said.

A $30m Centre for Excellence is already under construction on the northern side of Brookvale Oval. Picture: Toby Zerna

He said “post Budget” there would be a decision about which stadium would commence for construction first, noting the options would be costed “before the end of the year”.

“It’s made clear in the budget papers that we’re supporting the suburban stadium approach. We’re invested and committed to it,” he said.

Mr Perrottet said the government “agreed with the strategy”.

“That’s why we moved away from ANZ,” he said.

“We want great colosseum right across suburban Sydney. We think it brings communities together. That’s what sport is about.”

Asked how quickly construction could commence he said: “We’ve got to do the work”.

“We are going through that process now.

“There will be money in this Budget to continue that work and once the Budget is completed we’ll make the decision to allocate those funds.”

NRL chairman Peter V’landys said he was confident the investment would be delivered.

“Dom’s a man of his word. We saved $820 million not doing ANZ and that will go to suburban stadiums,” he said.

“We want people to be proud of their facilities and this will have a massive effect on the local communities.”