State Infrastructure NSW today released its infrastructure strategy report outlining the future development of Sydney. It recommends that a cultural precinct should be developed in Parramatta and should be based around Parramatta stadium. This would be in conjunction with significant upgrades to the stadium itself to transform it into a modern venue with increased capacity. However, before any upgrades are commenced, the report recommends that a full review be conducted to determine the extent of upgrades that Parramatta and/or the Sydney Olympic Park should receive behind a fully revamped Allianz stadium at Moore Park.
In a nutshell, either Parramatta or ANZ stadium will receive major upgrades. The report does not explicitly recommend that both stadiums should receive full upgrades; it simply says that the government will need to do a review in order to determine how much funding either will receive. It does say that a Tier 1 stadium should be maintained at the Sydney Olympic Park, but Allianz stadium should receive priority. $600 million has been recommended for stadium upgrades in Sydney. It's not official, but it seems likely that Allianz will receive $300 million, with the rest to be divided between ANZ and Parramatta. Forget about Parramatta vs Penrith; it's Parramatta vs Homebush (arguably a much tougher fight). It's possible that ANZ will receive the bulk of the funding, while Parramatta receives very little. Conversely, it could be vice versa with Parramatta stadium transforming into a high class Tier 2 stadium (up to 40,000 capacity), with ANZ left as it is or made to receive minimal upgrades. Alternatively (and perhaps more likely), both stadiums will receive some measure of upgrades, but neither will be total revamps.
Meanwhile, development for a dedicated 30,000 Tier 2 stadium has been postponed and will not be considered for Parramatta. If Parramatta does not receive funding as part of the $600 million stadia strategy package, then it won't receive anything at all. The report recommends that a 30,000 capacity stadium should be built in Outer Western Sydney to accommodate their needs, but this is a long-term solution and no planning has been commenced toward developing it. If it does happen, it won't be for a long time.
As things stand right now, I think we're in a pretty good position to receive at least some decent funding. The media is calling for upgrades to Parramatta stadium due to the rise of WSW, while Parramatta is a marginal LIberal seat and that factor alone won't be lost on Baird heading into next year's election. Going up against the deeply unpopular ANZ stadium will be tough, and they will be desperate to secure significant funding now that they've lost the Swans as a tenant. If they can't transform into a proper rectangular stadium then their future is in serious doubt. What do you guys think of all this?
You can read the stadia strategy component of the report here: http://www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/media/42966/inf_j14_871_sis_report_ch09_web.pdf
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