Stadium upgrades: Foley urged to stop blocking renovations
FAILURE to support the ANZ Stadium rebuild risks economic growth in the region, Western Sydney powerbrokers have warned Labor leader Luke Foley.
NSW
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FAILURE to support the ANZ Stadium rebuild risks economic growth in the region, Western Sydney powerbrokers have warned Labor leader Luke Foley.
In a two-page letter they point to the financial and tourism-based case for rebuilding the stadium at Olympic Park, saying it will deliver the “most economic benefit” of any stadium redevelopment.
Mr Foley has vehemently opposed the government’s commitment to knock down and rebuild both the ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium at Moore Park, at a cost of more than $2 billion.
He has not revealed his own plan but has been lobbied by the NRL to commit to a stadiums rebuild.
The letter, dated last Friday, calls on Mr Foley to support the rebuild of ANZ Stadium to a world-class, state-of-the-art, rectangular stadium.
It is signed by Sydney Olympic Park Business Association, Sydney Business Chamber of Western Sydney, Western Sydney Business Connection and Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.
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Government investment in facilities in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria is already “denying Western Sydney the valuable business tourism jobs it needs and the entertainment and sporting venues it deserves”, the letter says.
It notes that Mr Foley had previously supported the redevelopment of stadiums in Western Sydney before the government increased the cost and scope of the project.
The letter says there is “uncertainty in the region” because the ANZ rebuild is not scheduled until 2019-2022 — after the next state election.
It adds the redevelopment of ANZ “will result in a more vibrant sports and entertainment precinct while boosting the NSW visitor economy”.
It said the stadium already contributes more than $500 million to the state’s economy each year and a world-class rectangular stadium on the site “will further reinforce this area as one of the greatest sporting precincts” in the nation.
“We are confident that a revitalised stadium will ensure the precinct can reach its full potential as an economic and sporting powerhouse,” it said.
The letter notes the “significant adverse public response” over cost and agrees “any investment ... needs rigorous business case development”.