Local Democracy Matters launches legal bid to stop demolition of Allianz Stadium

A court has given a community group the green light to legally challenge the pending demolition of Allianz Stadium — just weeks before the hard demolition works begin later this month.

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A court has given a community group the green light to legally challenge the pending demolition of Allianz Stadium.

Local Democracy Matters fronted the Land and Environment Court on Wednesday in a last ditch bid to stop the State Government knocking down the Moore Park stadium as part of the $730 million rebuild.

The group’s lawyer Jason Lazarus argued the government’s approval process was “invalid” as the plans were not exhibited for the required period of time and did not exhibit “design excellence” requirements under local planning laws.

Ms Lazarus said the challenge should be heard on an “urgent basis” due to the “imminent threat” of hard demolition works, scheduled to begin later this month.

An aerial view of Allianz Stadium at Moore Park. Picture: AAP Image/Supplied by NSW Government

Contractors from Lendlease started “soft stripping” demolition works last week and by Monday had already ripped out half the stadium’s 44,000 seats.

Land and Environment Court justice Terry Sheahan agreed to fast-track the case, setting down an initial hearing date on February 20.

Lawyer Sandra Duggan, representing Infrastructure NSW, said she “accepted the matter warranted a speedy trial”.

Outside court, Local Democracy Matters spokesman Chris Maltby said he was confident in the group’s chances.

Demolition underway at Allianz Stadium. Supplied

“The local community is very concerned about the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on this wasteful project, from a government that can’t even get the basic legal requirements in place,” he said.

“The case demands a very high priority,” he said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was not worried about the threat of legal action.

“It’s a democracy and people can exercise whatever rights they wish,” she told media.

“I’m absolutely confident that we’ve followed all the right processes and we’re at this important point.”

Half the stadium’s 44,000 seats have already been ripped out. Picture: Supplied

The hearing came as Waverley Council on Tuesday voted to take similar legal action against the demolition work. The vote is subject to a rescission motion by Liberal councillors to be held next week.

The government has agreed to present Local Democracy Matters with a non-binding outline of its response to the legal challenge by Friday.