ANZ Stadium could be the "major beneficiary in a political stalemate" between the New South Wales government, Sydney Cricket Ground Trust and Allianz Stadium tenants that "threatens to end plans to build a new stadium at Moore Park," according to Chammas & Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. With stakeholders "at loggerheads over the location of a new stadium there," a A$500M ($384M) refurbishment of Allianz Stadium is being put forward as a "compromise in the squabble," which would leave ANZ Stadium with A$700M ($538M) to turn into a permanent 75,000-seat rectangular stadium. In what has now become a tit-for-tat game of "he said, she said," NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres has been forced to deny he gave National Rugby League side Sydney Roosters, Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs and A-League side Sydney FC "assurances they wouldn't be displaced, with the three clubs vowing to fight plans to build a new stadium on the existing site that would leave them homeless for four years." Plans to build a new stadium over Kippax Lake were reportedly discussed at a meeting at Parliament House on March 22 between Ayres, Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant, Roosters Chair Nick Politis and Roosters CEO John Lee. However, Ayres "has maintained he has always adopted government's position (stadium on existing site) and only presented the SCG Trust's proposal at the meeting." The NRL declined to comment on the details of the meeting at Parliament House but Lee "insists the only plans that have been put forward to the club were based around relocating the venue across the road" -- 55% on SCG Trust land and 45% on Centennial Parklands. The SCG Trust, "which has never publicly admitted to wanting to build over Kippax Lake despite presenting plans to clubs and codes to do so," issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon supporting the concerns of the Roosters, Waratahs and Sydney FC. The SCG Trust does not want a rebuild at the existing site, "the opposite position of the Baird government that Ayres is adamant he has supported all along despite the allegations from club powerbrokers" (SMH, 4/12). Chammas reported in a separate piece Ayres "has been forced to clarify his position on a new stadium at Moore Park" after indicating he would take an "alternative proposal" to cabinet despite Premier Mike Baird's objections "just 24 hours earlier." At a media opportunity on Tuesday, Ayres gave the impression he was "still holding out hope for a new stadium at Moore Park being built on Centennial Parklands," as the three Allianz Stadium tenants said he had assured them would happen. Ayres later said in a statement that he has "no intention of taking such a proposal to Cabinet," while at the same time "refusing to admit he had given Allianz Stadium tenants assurances they wouldn't be displaced." Ayres: "My position has not changed. Cabinet has determined any stadium should remain on land controlled by the SCG Trust and there will be no change to this" (SMH, 4/12).
DAVIS REJECTS RELOCATION: In Sydney, Iain Payten reported they "represent the entirety of NSW" but the Waratahs say moving from Moore Park to Western Sydney would be a "disaster" for the club. Waratahs Chair Roger Davis on Tuesday rejected relocating to ANZ Stadium or Parramatta Stadium while Allianz Stadium was knocked down and rebuilt under the new A$1.6B ($1.2B) stadia plan. Davis claims that the trio of tenants "were misled into believing the new stadium would be built on the nearby Kippax lake site." The ARU "also shot down suggestions the Sydney Sevens could be played at ANZ Stadium during the three-year construction," saying it would only accept a "rectangular stadium." Davis "strongly rejected a move to ANZ Stadium." He said, "That’s a disaster for us. To play in an 80,000-seat stadium, when our average crowd is 20-25,000; the very reason we signed at Allianz is it is a fit-for-purpose stadium." But asked if the smaller Parramatta Stadium "could be a home ground once redeveloped, Davis said it might be too small." Pressed as to whether he was saying a move to Western Sydney "would spell disaster" for the Waratahs, Davis said, "Yep. That would be my expectation. Given where our fans are based, where our loyalty lies, where our training facilities are, where our office facilities are, it would be a bridge too far." Davis’ comments are at "sharp odds" with the Waratahs’ marketing theme -- "Playing for NSW" -- and came on the same day the ARU launched a "strategic plan identifying western Sydney as a key focus for growth" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 4/12).
