The cost of a new stadium next to the Sydney Cricket Ground has risen to almost A$1.2B ($900M), 50% more than previously made public, as NSW "formulates a plan to compete with other states for major events," according to Mark Coultan of THE AUSTRALIAN. The cost "threatens to derail the state government’s stadium strategy," which includes building a new stadium at Parramatta and refurbishing the former Olympic stadium at Homebush Bay, now known as ANZ Stadium, "possibly by converting it into a permanent rectangular venue." The strategy is "also threatened by the reluctance of NRL clubs to move" to one of three stadiums that the state government has promised to "build or renovate." As a condition of funding the stadiums, the Baird government has demanded that the National Rugby League guarantee 65 games be played at one of the three stadiums, but Manly, Wests, St. George Illawarra and Cronulla "are reluctant to leave their home grounds and are driving a hard bargain." Although SCG Trust sources say the A$1.2B relates "not just to a replacement stadium for Allianz" but also redevelopment of the entire precinct, others say A$1.2B is a "conservative estimate" that does not include roadworks or resolving "difficult drainage issues." A SCG Trust spokesperson said that the new stadium was at the concept phase. The spokesperson said, "It is yet to be fully costed." The initial A$800M ($603M) estimate was costed on the basis of A$14,000 ($10,600) a seat, which was the cost of a grandstand at the SCG that was completed in '14. Perth’s new 60,000-seat stadium is due to cost A$1.4B ($1B), or A$23,000 ($17,300) a seat, but this "includes associated infrastructure such as a railway station." The state government has allocated A$1.6B ($1.21B) for sporting facilities from the proceeds of its electricity privatization program, "sparking a furious lobbying effort between Parramatta Stadium, ANZ at Homebush Bay and Allianz Stadium," run by the SCG Trust. Despite "criticism that the existing tenants" -- A-League side Sydney FC, the NRL’s Roosters and Super Rugby franchise the Waratahs -- "rarely, if ever, fill the existing stadium, the plan has been backed by Sports Minister Stuart Ayres" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/29).
