The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust "has reignited its bid for a new stadium at Moore Park with a modified 40,000-seat proposal now on the table," according to Michael Chammas of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The trust's hopes of a new stadium "seemed dead in the water" last year after the state government ruled in favor of providing the majority of its A$1.6B stadia investment into ANZ Stadium, ending a push for a 60,000-seat venue at Moore Park. However, plans for a "knock-down and rebuild on the existing Allianz Stadium site has gathered momentum during the past few months, with all key stakeholders set to back the proposal put forward by the SCG Trust."
The plans by the Trust will not "interfere with the government's pledge to turn ANZ Stadium into a permanent rectangular facility from 2019, but there is a hope Allianz Stadium will receive more than just a coat of paint once its turn comes around." The Roosters, Waratahs and Sydney FC "all turned against" Sports Minister Stuart Ayres last year after claiming they were "cheated" during negotiations in which they were given guarantees a new stadium would be built on a different site to their current home.
Under the revised plans, the Trust "is hoping the clubs of the three football codes unite in support of a smaller boutique venue that will take half the time to build" (SMH, 2/7).
