SEA EAGLES fans will be sweating on the outcome of the Federal Election as they wait to see which candidate’s promises for cash-strapped Brookvale Oval are honoured.



 





ALP candidate for Warringah Hugh Zochling



Warringah Labor candidate Hugh Zochling said the election was a chance for voters to hold a “referendum on Brookvale Oval” as locals were still waiting for Mr Abbott to deliver the $10 million in federal funding required to upgrade the ground.
Shortly before the Howard government was defeated in the 2007 election, Opposition Leader and Warringah MP Tony Abbott promised $9 million in funding to upgrade the ground if the Coalition was returned to office.
Brookvale Oval previously received $1 million for a lighting upgrade in 2005 after Mr Abbott made a commitment at the previous election to press his government for funding.
Mr Zochling, who said he was a passionate Sea Eagles supporter, yesterday pledged to “stake his job” on securing federal funding to upgrade the team’s ground if he was elected later this month.
“I will be a strong voice for Brookie in the Gillard Government,” he said.
“If I’m elected and I fail to get this federal funding for Brookie, I’ll quit.”
Mr Zochling said from 1997 to 2007, more than $900 million was provided to NRL grounds, of which Brookvale received only $1 million.
The Manly Daily asked Mr Abbott yesterday if he would honour his previous commitment to fund an upgrade of Brookvale Oval if elected to government, but he did not respond before deadline.