NRL clears Lottoland of asbestos risk for Manly-Cronulla elimination final
They’ve been given the all-clear, now 20,000 fired-up fans are expected to cram into Lottoland on Saturday night, after the NRL approved the ground to host Manly’s elimination final against Cronulla.
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Manly fans have won the lotto.
On Monday evening, the NRL cleared troubled Lottoland from an asbestos scare with Saturday night’s elimination final against Cronulla to proceed at the Sea Eagles’ spiritual home.
Traces of asbestos were found on the stadium’s northern hill as part of geotechnical investigations for Brookvale Oval’s proposed $36 million Centre of Excellence.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg threatened to shift the game to Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, had the Sea Eagles and Northern Beaches Council failed to guarantee fan safety.
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Angry Manly supporters discussed boycotting the game had it been ripped away from Sydney’s northern beaches. A sell-out crowd of nearly 20,000 is now expected to cram Lottoland for the Sharks game.
Northern Beaches Council and Manly lodged a safety assessment report to the NRL after Greenberg sought assurances the safety of fans would not be put at risk.
There was no indication asbestos had been found at any other location other than two small areas on the hill. Artificial turf will be laid over the patches for the game to remove any potential danger.
“Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of both our players and members of the public at each and every match,’’ Greenberg said.
“Council has shown us a detailed plan which removes all risk and ensures no threat to public safety. On that basis we have granted approval for the match to remain at Lottoland.”
Northern Beaches Council said soil tests and the implementation of a stringent asbestos management plan showed there was no risk to fans.
“People’s safety is paramount which is why we engaged specialists as soon as the Sea Eagles raised the issue with us late on Thursday,” Northern Beaches council mayor Michael Regan said.
“We are really pleased that the detailed independent results have shown that council can effectively manage the site in time for the weekend game.
“We want to assure the local community there is no risk to them from the contaminants found in the soil at Brookie Oval and that council will do everything recommended to ensure people’s ongoing safety.
“There is no reason the game cannot go ahead as planned based on scientific testing and expert advice. We can assure the community the site will be safe ahead of the weekend’s game.”
NRL officials had been unable to sell tickets for the game until a match venue was finalised. Tickets will now be on sale from Tuesday.
“It would be devastating to lose it,” Manly forward Jake Trbojevic said. “We have worked so hard all year and we have earnt the right to have a home final and we’d love to play at Lottoland.”
Manly fullback Brendan Elliot said Sea Eagles fans and players deserved a home final.
“We definitely want to play at Lottoland and I think we have earnt that right. It would be devastating for us if we had to move the game,” he said.
Sea Eagles centre Brad Parker also came forward to express a passionate desire to play the game on Sydney’s northern beaches, saying: “Honestly, we want to play at Lottoland and hopefully we can do everything in our power to play it there.”