NSW Government lashing out millions on Panthers

[Chris Harding]

This is from today's SMH, by Peter FitzSimons:
Look, if I can’t break records like Usain Bolt did, do you mind if I at least go on like a broken record for just a moment?
For I think I might have mentioned #StadiumSplurge before, yes? I am nearly sure I passed comment that it was OUTRAGEOUS for the NSW government to spend billions of dollars providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the non-tax-paying business of rugby league by knocking down modern and quite serviceable stadiums, while there are so many other areas of public infrastructure that are crying out for their largesse. (Start with schools and hospitals, and work your way back from there.)

A proposed new stadium at Penrith would cost up to $300 million.CREDIT:GETTY
And the battle was half-won, with the outcry so great that the government at least pulled back from re-doing the entire 20-year-old Olympic Stadium, while pushing ahead with knocking down the 30-year-old Sydney Football Stadium.
Which gets us to where we are today. The instant the government shelved the billion dollar Olympic stadium plan the NRL switched from “we need state-of-the-art” big stadiums to, “no, we need the government to do boutique stadiums, too!”

Well I never ...
I never saw such chutzpah. The most stunning thing of all? The government is reportedly about to announce the first boutique stadium built courtesy of the taxpayers will be at Penrith!
Yup. I know. That would be Penrith, which we know has three things.

1. One of the richest league clubs in the world, with more pokies per square inch than you can poke a stick at;
2. A rising problem of both homelessness and housing affordability (And yes, the link between homelessness itself and pokies is long-established);
3. Penrith Leagues Club is already beneficiary of amazing government largesse. As documented by the Herald’s Nigel Gladstone last September, we had the extraordinary story on the final destination of the $12 MILLION that the then Sports Minister Stuart Ayres promised with much hoopla, just before the 2015 state election would build for the community in his Penrith electorate “indoor sporting facilities like we’ve never seen before, finished with a different destination. Yes, folks, that money, as Gladstone noted, “ended up building an underground carpark [for the Panthers]”.

#FFS! Read it again. Money for the community sports grants ended up going to a Penrith Leagues Club carpark.
Advertisement

And now, after the disgrace of the SFS being knocked down, after so many other areas of public infrastructure crying out for help, the NSW government is about to commit ANOTHER $250 million to $300 million so that certainly the richest club in the state gets still more taxpayer largesse. What is wrong with this picture?

 

[_G-Dog_]

NSW Government:..

 

[c-b-b]

Even if he has a point I can’t stand anything that bloke writes. If the money was being spent on yawnion you wouldn’t hear a thing from him but he’s always on his soap box about big bad rugby league.

 

[Trafford10]

Fitzsimons is a flog seriously.
Stadiums are very long life assets that don't just benefit one of the tenants being the rugby league club.

Having a brand new stadium in your heartland is a big benefit to help get more spectators to your home games.

Hopefully the Dogs can get out of that ghost town at stadium Australia in the not too distant future.

 

[Como Dog]

Not opposed to new stadiums but very unhappy with how it played out. I blame Stuart Ayres for all of this as I'm sure his finger prints will be all over this when it all cones out, not to mention questionable links with the SCG Trust. Fed up with shortsighted morally bankrupt politicians (or there dodgy advisory committee/group mates) deciding how vast sums of our money should be allocated and spent.

If a small number of primary/bigger major stadiums was the strategy then it should have been the following scenario:

1) New Moore Park 80-85,000 seats and rectangular field and roof
2 Homebush with very minor enhancements (can still accomodate cricket & AFL) 83,000
3) Western Sydney Stadium (Penrith) 40-50,000 (if public transport is possible otherwise Parramatta instead)
All other stadiums untouched and any changes self funded by LGAs or clubs.

Otherwise if it's the boutique strategy then this option

1) Homebush- major improvements for rectangular formation and roof approx 85,000
2) Minor upgrades and improvements to each boutique stadium in each major Sydney Zone
No new Moore Park and no new Western Sydney Stadium.

At the end of the day the primary stadium should be given the highest priority. How they have done this is a complete (and probably deliberate) balls up.

Btw I really dislike Peter Fitzsimmons an absolute pain in the arse.

 

[Bulldogsforlife23]

So next is kograh which is for dragons and brook vale for manly and rumours about Liverpool for us hope that’s true

 

[Stevo316]

This guy hates league, doesn't see this creates jobs, he is the biggest fuckstick a person could be

 

[kungfuman]

This is from today's SMH, by Peter FitzSimons:
Look, if I can’t break records like Usain Bolt did, do you mind if I at least go on like a broken record for just a moment?
For I think I might have mentioned #StadiumSplurge before, yes? I am nearly sure I passed comment that it was OUTRAGEOUS for the NSW government to spend billions of dollars providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the non-tax-paying business of rugby league by knocking down modern and quite serviceable stadiums, while there are so many other areas of public infrastructure that are crying out for their largesse. (Start with schools and hospitals, and work your way back from there.)

A proposed new stadium at Penrith would cost up to $300 million.CREDIT:GETTY
And the battle was half-won, with the outcry so great that the government at least pulled back from re-doing the entire 20-year-old Olympic Stadium, while pushing ahead with knocking down the 30-year-old Sydney Football Stadium.
Which gets us to where we are today. The instant the government shelved the billion dollar Olympic stadium plan the NRL switched from “we need state-of-the-art” big stadiums to, “no, we need the government to do boutique stadiums, too!”

Well I never ...
I never saw such chutzpah. The most stunning thing of all? The government is reportedly about to announce the first boutique stadium built courtesy of the taxpayers will be at Penrith!
Yup. I know. That would be Penrith, which we know has three things.

1. One of the richest league clubs in the world, with more pokies per square inch than you can poke a stick at;
2. A rising problem of both homelessness and housing affordability (And yes, the link between homelessness itself and pokies is long-established);
3. Penrith Leagues Club is already beneficiary of amazing government largesse. As documented by the Herald’s Nigel Gladstone last September, we had the extraordinary story on the final destination of the $12 MILLION that the then Sports Minister Stuart Ayres promised with much hoopla, just before the 2015 state election would build for the community in his Penrith electorate “indoor sporting facilities like we’ve never seen before, finished with a different destination. Yes, folks, that money, as Gladstone noted, “ended up building an underground carpark [for the Panthers]”.

#FFS! Read it again. Money for the community sports grants ended up going to a Penrith Leagues Club carpark.
Advertisement

And now, after the disgrace of the SFS being knocked down, after so many other areas of public infrastructure crying out for help, the NSW government is about to commit ANOTHER $250 million to $300 million so that certainly the richest club in the state gets still more taxpayer largesse. What is wrong with this picture?

They don't have an underground carpark

 

[D- voice]

This is from today's SMH, by Peter FitzSimons:
Look, if I can’t break records like Usain Bolt did, do you mind if I at least go on like a broken record for just a moment?
For I think I might have mentioned #StadiumSplurge before, yes? I am nearly sure I passed comment that it was OUTRAGEOUS for the NSW government to spend billions of dollars providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the non-tax-paying business of rugby league by knocking down modern and quite serviceable stadiums, while there are so many other areas of public infrastructure that are crying out for their largesse. (Start with schools and hospitals, and work your way back from there.)

A proposed new stadium at Penrith would cost up to $300 million.CREDIT:GETTY
And the battle was half-won, with the outcry so great that the government at least pulled back from re-doing the entire 20-year-old Olympic Stadium, while pushing ahead with knocking down the 30-year-old Sydney Football Stadium.
Which gets us to where we are today. The instant the government shelved the billion dollar Olympic stadium plan the NRL switched from “we need state-of-the-art” big stadiums to, “no, we need the government to do boutique stadiums, too!”

Well I never ...
I never saw such chutzpah. The most stunning thing of all? The government is reportedly about to announce the first boutique stadium built courtesy of the taxpayers will be at Penrith!
Yup. I know. That would be Penrith, which we know has three things.

1. One of the richest league clubs in the world, with more pokies per square inch than you can poke a stick at;
2. A rising problem of both homelessness and housing affordability (And yes, the link between homelessness itself and pokies is long-established);
3. Penrith Leagues Club is already beneficiary of amazing government largesse. As documented by the Herald’s Nigel Gladstone last September, we had the extraordinary story on the final destination of the $12 MILLION that the then Sports Minister Stuart Ayres promised with much hoopla, just before the 2015 state election would build for the community in his Penrith electorate “indoor sporting facilities like we’ve never seen before, finished with a different destination. Yes, folks, that money, as Gladstone noted, “ended up building an underground carpark [for the Panthers]”.

#FFS! Read it again. Money for the community sports grants ended up going to a Penrith Leagues Club carpark.
Advertisement

And now, after the disgrace of the SFS being knocked down, after so many other areas of public infrastructure crying out for help, the NSW government is about to commit ANOTHER $250 million to $300 million so that certainly the richest club in the state gets still more taxpayer largesse. What is wrong with this picture?

Peter Fitzsimons has always been jealous and a hater of League, you can't expect any good from a former YAWNING player but do agree with him on the unnecessary demolishing and rebuilding of the SFS and building the car park for Penrith Leagues, it's taxpayers money that should have been spent wisely like improving the local grounds.
As for the health and education systems I am sure they do need more funding but the amount that is or will be spent on football grounds is a drop in the ocean.
How does an intelligent person like Mr Fitzsimons overlook facts that playing or watching sports is good for the physical and mental wellbeing and the long term values are incalculable, remember football and Leagues clubs also pay taxes.
I will ask you this, where would you have played your YAWNING games if it wasn't played on the government funded grounds ???
My advise to you Peter...Drop that chip off your shoulder !!!

 

[TwinTurbo]

Fitzsimons is a red bandanna wearing socialist, so he will vehemently condemn literally anything and everything that is even so much as suggested by a Liberal Government. Plus a Penrith Stadium upgrade that would help secure Stuart Ayres re-election is to be strenuously opposed at every opportunity. Penrith is a marginal seat, unlike Canterbury Bankstown, no use spending money in that electorate.

Always a Bulldog

 

[gazza]

It's not just Penrith bandana man. The silver spoons of the Eastern suburbs and SCG Trust caused a perfectly good football stadium to be pulled down and replaced with - yes, yes - another football stadium. Which meant no football stadium with a roof as was originally going to be the Olympics legacy for the rectangular ground football codes. And why? Well the western Sydney areas of Parramatta to Penrith are yes electotrally important. So if you want the Liverpool stadium to be built on Bulldogs land with the stadium reverting to the Dogs down the track then perhaps you need to move away from rusted on Labor seats. After all it was a Labor Government that stopped the Dogs Liverpool/club development by refusing to issue it with a poker machine licence.

 

[TwinTurbo]

It's not just Penrith bandana man. The silver spoons of the Eastern suburbs and SCG Trust caused a perfectly good football stadium to be pulled down and replaced with - yes, yes - another football stadium. Which meant no football stadium with a roof as was originally going to be the Olympics legacy for the rectangular ground football codes. And why? Well the western Sydney areas of Parramatta to Penrith are yes electotrally important. So if you want the Liverpool stadium to be built on Bulldogs land with the stadium reverting to the Dogs down the track then perhaps you need to move away from rusted on Labor seats. After all it was a Labor Government that stopped the Dogs Liverpool/club development by refusing to issue it with a poker machine licence.

The Sydney football stadium was far from “good” let alone “perfectly”. The insurance company assessor refused to give it a venue licence due to its concrete rot, fire risk and failure to comply with current evacuation requirements. The toilet facilitates were shit (sic) and corporates were refusing to continue their support. It was in dire need of demolition and replacement, about 10 years ago. Good riddance it was a dump and won’t be missed.

Always a Bulldog

 

[Benno Bulldog]

we need an elevated stadium with lower level bars and restaurants at Belmore

 

[Alan79]

It's not just Penrith bandana man. The silver spoons of the Eastern suburbs and SCG Trust caused a perfectly good football stadium to be pulled down and replaced with - yes, yes - another football stadium. Which meant no football stadium with a roof as was originally going to be the Olympics legacy for the rectangular ground football codes. And why? Well the western Sydney areas of Parramatta to Penrith are yes electotrally important. So if you want the Liverpool stadium to be built on Bulldogs land with the stadium reverting to the Dogs down the track then perhaps you need to move away from rusted on Labor seats. After all it was a Labor Government that stopped the Dogs Liverpool/club development by refusing to issue it with a poker machine licence.

I think you'll actually find that numerous members of the Liverpool council back then also held seats on the RSL club board which blocked the poker machine licenses as direct competition and the rest of the stadium build fell through with that.

 

[chisdog]

The Sydney football stadium was far from “good” let alone “perfectly”. The insurance company assessor refused to give it a venue licence due to its concrete rot, fire risk and failure to comply with current evacuation requirements. The toilet facilitates were shit (sic) and corporates were refusing to continue their support. It was in dire need of demolition and replacement, about 10 years ago. Good riddance it was a dump and won’t be missed.

Always a Bulldog

If a stadium only is good enough for 22 years then either the developer should be sued for poor workmanship or we shouldn't build stadiums. Geez there's one built in Italy some 2000 years ago that only now needs an upgrade. #DoItOnceDoItRight

 

[Heckler]

If a stadium only is good enough for 22 years then either the developer should be sued for poor workmanship or we shouldn't build stadiums. Geez there's one built in Italy some 2000 years ago that only now needs an upgrade. #DoItOnceDoItRight

Half built

 

[Chris Harding]

If a stadium only is good enough for 22 years then either the developer should be sued for poor workmanship or we shouldn't build stadiums. Geez there's one built in Italy some 2000 years ago that only now needs an upgrade. #DoItOnceDoItRight

The playing surface badly needs an overhaul.

 

[Shire Dog]

If a stadium only is good enough for 22 years then either the developer should be sued for poor workmanship or we shouldn't build stadiums. Geez there's one built in Italy some 2000 years ago that only now needs an upgrade. #DoItOnceDoItRight

I wonder what sought of upgrades are being carried out at the old stadium in Italy
Unisex toilets

 

[TwinTurbo]

If a stadium only is good enough for 22 years then either the developer should be sued for poor workmanship or we shouldn't build stadiums. Geez there's one built in Italy some 2000 years ago that only now needs an upgrade. #DoItOnceDoItRight

1988, that’s 33 years ago.

Main issues weren’t construction but design, it did not comply with the current insurance and safety standards. Which means no venue licence.

Always a Bulldog

 

[chisdog]

I wonder what sought of upgrades are being carried out at the old stadium in Italy
Unisex toilets

Nah, they are putting in mens, womens & LGBTIQ etc