New South Wales on Friday "announced what it called the biggest investment in Sydney's sporting and events infrastructure since the 2000 Olympics, with construction of a new 30,000-seat stadium a priority," according to the AFP. More than A$1B ($697M) "will be set aside for the stadia network, with plans for a new 50,000-55,000-seat stadium at Moore Park near the Sydney CBD in addition to a new 30,000-seat arena at Parramatta in the city's west." New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said, "A global city like Sydney needs world-class sporting venues and this investment will ensure fans and sporting teams have the facilities they deserve. Our first priority is building a new 30,000-seat stadium at Parramatta on the site of the existing facility, with work to begin as soon as possible and construction expected to be completed by 2019." Baird said that "the overhaul would include the completion of the Sydney Cricket Ground upgrade and the redevelopment of the 80,000-plus capacity Stadium Australia, potentially to include a retractable roof." The government "would also develop a new indoor arena near the city centre and a new outer-western Sydney sporting venue as it seeks to better compete for major events" (AFP, 9/4).
