By Chris Barrett
August 11, 2020 — 12.01am
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has revealed the NRL's bold push for as many as four or five new 20,000-seat stadiums in Sydney has the backing of the state government, saying: "We're going back to basics".
In a development that all but guarantees this year's grand final will remain at ANZ Stadium, Barilaro on Monday said the Berejiklian government was "absolutely" supportive of the NRL's boutique stadia strategy, which proposes multiple "mini Bankwest stadiums" be delivered around the city over the next 10 years including a new venue at Liverpool.
JT roasts the bubble breachers
Johnathan Thurston takes aim at the coach and players placed on a two-week COVID hold.
"The government has an appetite for the ground renewal program that the NRL has put forward," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"I think we're going back to basics, back to the past where that tribalism is actually what the competition needs in a way. We're seeing upgrades at Brookvale, you've got [the new] Parramatta stadium. If we've got an opportunity to do three or four or five more Bankwests, well that's got to be great for the game long term, great for the community and great for that competition."
The NRL had previously targeted as many as four new stadiums, with seating capacity of up to 20,000 and a cost of between $150 million and $200m each, following the government's abandoning of the $800m redevelopment of ANZ Stadium as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brookvale Oval, Penrith and Kogarah are locations being discussed for rebuilds while a new venue at Liverpool that could play host to Canterbury, Wests Tigers and possibly South Sydney is also among the options.
John Barilaro at League Central on Monday.CREDIT:NICK MOIR.
The NRL had sought a commitment from government to its vision of restoring tribalism via suburban venues in return for keeping the grand final in Sydney.
The code has a deal with the state government to play the decider in the city until 2042 but that was signed on the basis of ANZ Stadium being transformed into a rectangular ground along with the construction of a new stadiums at Parramatta and Moore Park.
Advertisement
The scrapping of the ANZ redevelopment means that deal is technically off the table but Barilaro was optimistic about a new memorandum of understanding being struck.
"I'm confident the grand final will be played at ANZ Stadium," he said as the NSW government and the NRL announced a game between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle in Tamworth on August 29.
Manly's home ground is in line for a rebuild.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
"We've had a long-term agreement with the NRL and we'll work through those details. But I'm very confident."
ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said on Monday he could not comment on talks with government because they were commercial in confidence.
But he has previously made clear his desire to take the game back to the suburbs and his view that a range of new venues would be community assets, not simply football grounds.
Barilaro said the details of the government's backing were still being thrashed out.
"[The NRL] will be seeking some level of contribution from the state government. We'll also be hitting up the feds I suppose along the journey," Barilaro said.
www.smh.com.au
