Premier Gladys Berejiklian endorses ‘world class’ Bankwest Stadium on visit

It’s almost ready: The final touches are being made and a spur-of-the-moment visit by Premier Gladys Berejiklian has given Bankwest Stadium in western Sydney a big thumbs up.

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The Parramatta Advertiser has had a first-hand look inside Bankwest Stadium as Premier Gladys Berejiklian took to the freshly-laid turf to respond to criticism on stadium spending from Labor opposition leader Michael Daley.

Joined by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres, Ms Berejiklian accused the Labor Party of wanting to “take NSW backwards” as Mr Daley continues to argue against the demolition of Allianz Stadium.

“The people of NSW have a clear choice at the next election. A government that’s getting on with the job of building the roads, rails, schools, hospitals, cultural institutions and the stadiums or a Labor Party that wants to cancel projects and take NSW backwards,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We’re all about building the future. That’s what good governments do, they plan for the future and they get things done.”

Ms Berejiklian was also flanked by representatives from a number of sports clubs and organisations, including the Parramatta Eels, Western Sydney Wanderers and NSW Waratahs.

Among them was NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, who said he was “embarrassed” by the current state of Sydney’s sports facilities.

Bankwest Stadium is 92 per cent completed. It is almost ready for April 22 kick-off.

“Quite frankly when I travel around the country I’m embarrassed to come back to the facilities that our city currently provides to our sports fans,” Mr Greenberg said.

“The sports fans and rugby league fans in this state deserve better, and what we’re seeing right here today in the middle of Bankwest (Stadium) is an example of how good it can get.

“What were looking forward to is another one of these being built in Moore Park and another one at (Sydney) Olympic Park because this is what the fans of our game and all of our sports collectively deserve.”

A round view of the stadium. Picture: Matt King

Standing in the middle of the field and surrounded by what will be among the steepest stands in the country, Parramatta Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh said he was tempted to pull the boots on again.

“It looks outstanding,” he said.

“I wish I was 10 years younger. Just the smell of the grass you get, it reminds me of the captains runs that we used to do on the day before a game.

“I enjoyed playing on the old stadium so much but this would be out of the world.”