Allianz Stadium upgrade to cost USD 18 million - report

A hefty $18 million has been pumped into the upgrade of Allianz Stadium, reveals a secret report for the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust. This 'news' will definitely trigger key election issue of stadiums with NSW in its election campaigns.

The report says Allianz Stadium could be upgraded to address the 'current non-compliance' for $18,153,800. "Allianz would incur minor non-compliance issues with each succeeding iteration of the standards, legislation and codes. These minor issues can be addressed through partial voluntary upgrades over the forthcoming 10-year period until such a time as the next major refurbishment is undertaken.

Its further stated that a 'critical remediation' of Allianz would cost $130 million but this would include 'end of life issues' ranging from refurbishing bathroom and public amenities to repairing the trust's pool deck and change room and scoreboards.

The Sports Minister, Stuart Ayres said Infrastructure NSW found that a complete rebuild of Allianz was better value for taxpayers than a refurbishment. NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley said the report exposes once and for all their entire case for the stadium splurge to be nothing more than a sham. Daley criticized the splurge saying 'they wanted a gold plated stadium'. "After an exhaustive and detailed process Infrastructure NSW (INSW) valued a refurbishment of the SFS at $714.5 million and a rebuild at $729 million. INSW also identified the option to rebuild provided better value to the taxpayer than a refurbishment."