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Yet far more than that amount will be spent on rebuilding Brisbane’s Gabba, last redeveloped in 1995, without provoking a repeat of Sydney’s stadium wars.
As numerous sports administrators point out, Sydney is being left behind, but the reality is it has never really caught up despite hosting the 2000 Olympics.
The recently rebuilt Allianz Stadium has attracted 650,000 fans over the past six months.Credit:Getty
The redevelopment of Adelaide Oval has not only transformed Adelaide’s sports precinct but the entire city centre. It buzzes during significant events, be they AFL matches or the best cricket Test match on the calendar each year.
Likewise, sport has been transformed in Perth with the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium opening in 2018 just a scenic walk across the Swan River from the old, ramshackle WACA Ground. Almost 96,000 attended the two Big Bash League finals last February, an extraordinary turn-out for domestic cricket games.
There is not a nut or bolt in the MCG older than 1990, when the stand now named after Shane Warne replaced the old Southern Stand, and there are plans to rebuild it again, while Hobart is on track to get a new stadium to go with its new AFL team, whenever that may be.
But in Sydney, apparently it is a sin for sports fans to be provided with modern infrastructure and facilities.
Four years ago, then Labor leader Michael Daley used the construction site for the rebuilding of Allianz Stadium as a backdrop for his failed election campaign, adopting the hashtag “#stadiumsplurge” and campaigning for the money should be spent on health and education.
Nick Hobson hits the winning runs for the Scorchers in BBL final before more than 53,000 fans at Perth Stadium last February.Credit:Paul Kane/Getty Images
It is a simplistic argument which fails to recognise that the overwhelming majority of government infrastructure spending goes on transport. In the most recent NSW budget, $112.7 billion was committed to infrastructure over the next four years. Of that $76.7 billion was allocated to transport, $11.2 billion to health and $9.2 billion to education.
The #Stadiumsplurge campaign also fails to recognise that many of the 650,000 who have attended the new Allianz Stadium during the past six months to enjoy rugby league and union, soccer and concerts, or the 350,000 annually who attend cricket or Swans matches at the SCG, are taxpayers, too.
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An internal Cricket Australia report summarising the recent international cricket season which has been obtained by the Herald and The Age, has a section titled “Match-Day Experience”. Under the subheading “Threats”, it simply says: “Ageing infrastructure and facilities.”
Inadequate seating, amenities for food and beverages, toilets and narrow, crowded walkways are major concerns. Worryingly, the stands have issues complying with modern health and safety standards. There are similar issues at some rugby league venues.
Sydney may be an Olympic city, but it doesn’t have an Olympic attitude when it comes to sport.