Brushing Brookvale for blockbusters makes sense

Brookvale Oval needs funding: GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR NRL VENUES $900+ MILLION (1997-2007) Leichhardt Oval - 3 Games per year $8 Million - Federal Gov Campaign Promise (2007) $3 Million - Federal Opposition Campaign Promise (2007) Campbelltown Stadium - 3 Games per year $8 Million - Federal Opposition Campaign Promise (2007) OKI Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah) - 6 Games max $7 Million - State Funding (2006) $8 Million - Federal Funding (2005) Redfern Oval - Training Facility Only $20 Million - City of Sydney (2007) Win Stadium (Wollongong) - 6 Games max $4 Million (2001) Toyota Park (Cronulla) $9 Million - Federal Funding Centrebet Stadium (Penrith) $5 Million - State Funding (2007) $10 Million - Federal Funding (2005) $5 Million - Federal Opposition Campaign Promise (2007) Parramatta Stadium $1.5 Million - State Gov (2003) $6 Million - State Gov Commitment $23M Project (2007) Energy Australia Stadium (Newcastle) $40 Million - Combined Gov Funding (2006) Skilled Stadium (Gold Coast) $160 Million - State Gov Funding (2006) Dairy Farmers Stadium (Townsville) $15 Million - Combined Gov Funding (1997-2007) $30 Million - Submission to Federal Gov (2007) Blue Tongue Stadium (Central Coast) $12 Million - Federal Gov Funding (1998) $12 Million - State Gov Funding (1998) Olympic Park (Melbourne) $250 Million - State Gov Funding (2006), since these figures they have built a brand new stadium in Melbourne AAMI Park. Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) $250+ Million - State Gov Funding (2004) SCG Trust $25 Million - Federal Gov Funding Canberra Stadium $44 Million - ACT Gov (2000)

Good luck to them. I hope they can maintain that generosity for the next 50 years.

What are you mumbling on about AR. Because Sydney fans and people associated with the game are also taxpayers,and as such are entitled to some consideration... I have already stated the Sharks received money from the Feds for the Southern stand.Please give me the courtesy of reading. Of course its a serious comment,despite some of yours bodering on being hysterical.You came on board banging on about NRL clubs have not contributed toward grounds,which I refuted.The Sharks have done so,if you can't see that I can't help you.You are now deflecting in typical style.I have already alluded to the fact,the Sharks development ,will eventually include stadium updates.Change your glasses,they appear to be fogged up. I will tell you what I did not miss pal :- ANZ stadium an expensive stadium ,that is more than suitable for AFL ,is situated 14 km from the sydney CBD The Showground (with a $45m grant is situated next door practically, 16.23km from the Sydney CBD.The same stadium used about half a dozen times for GWS,then some in Canberra.For a club here 1 year. Govt excess or waste,take your pick. If Govt has that sort of money to waste or spend ,then it should not be hard to find some for Brookvale,Leichardt ,improvements to the SFS.Here for decades ,not new kids on the block. And I too give up in exasperation.

Frist refernce should have read http://www.thewarriors.com.au/news-display/Watson-and-Glenn-open-war-chest-for-future/59643

http://www.thewarriors.com.au/news-display/Watson-and-Glenn-open-war-chest-for-future http://wwwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8501948 Seems these billionaires are intent on putting strong club structures in place.

You asked the question ,you are not aware of any NRL clubs that have contribute toward their grounds.I gave you an example the Sharks .You deflected. I mentioned rates and rent paid by the clubs and fed and state taxes paid by the clubs,as their contributions to govt coffers.You didn't want to read about it. Fact: Showground received $45m from govt.used for a handul of games.Plus some played in canberra..The stadium is 16.23km from the Sydney CBD. ANZ a perfectly good stadium for AFL practically next door 14km from sydney CBD. Translation = Government waste. Clubs that are situated within their locale ,have been lobbying for funding ,to no avail it appears. Of course it's too hard, to justify Govt waste or duplication.

How you could possibly think I was asking what Sydneysiders pay in tax...is beyond me. You missed it completely pal. You again refuse to comment about the $10M the Sharks got from the Fed Govt 5 years ago...but then somehow ratoinalise it by mentioning what the Sharks built in the 60s...!!! Is that a serious comment? You then finish with some "AFL are like vikings" comment. I give up.

When you get down to using the description rambled response,it shows you have run out of ideas. . Quite simply everyone who attends a game in sydney contribute in some shape or form to state and Federal tax.Whether it be via income or other state taxes. You want me to quote the amount everyone that follows Sydney teams pays in income tax and state taxes FFS?.Judging by your earlier response it would indicate you have no idea. The Sharks built a leagues club,built two stands,built a ground,built two carparks,and a junior s ground next door,at their own expense.If you believe in today,s money that would be chickenfeed you are kidding. They started all this in the late sixties. If clubs like GWS who have no history ,and are using a relatively new ground(Showground)and who are lucky to get a platoon in attendance can get $45m plus another $10m,then historical grounds like Leichardt and brookvale should be entitled to a decent amount.There is a perfectly good AFL style stadium next door ANZ Not the point of the discussion !!!! It is the basis of the discussion. Your idea of evenhandedness is the old Viking idea of gather the spoils in a raid,at little cost and the locals take like it or lump it. Mind boggling LOL.You appear arrogant enough to believe that when a govt states they have no money to other codes,because you have money and will contribute a perecentage,the govt should open the ëmpty"walle at your behest. That is living in a bubble thinking.. Not once repeat not once,have you rationalised a Govt who states they have no money,yet finds it to suit your code's need and ignore the lobbying of others over the years..All you babble on about but we put in X amount that is not the point.The point is no money was supposedly available.Obviously available for GWS ,good one. .

Your faith in billionaires to provide sustainable club-structures is truly impressive. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

Manly are crap, and really dug their own grave when they never merged with the Bears when they were suppose to merge. Manly are on borrowed time, They have Clearle running around the country trying to steal and sign other clubs juniors, they have a dying crowd and area that cant grow. The only thing keeping them alive is Penn and another millionaire blind to the fact Manly will struggle once powerhouse clubs like Warriors, owned now by a billionaire, Knights down the road, owned by Billionauire Tinkly Tinky, and Perth plus tthe second Brisbane derby team, manly are nothing but chumps. Manly have a few old dinosaur warriors hanging on like slags of molten rock on a outpost of nothiningness in a wildeness of hopelessness, with less and less mums and kids following this band of skullduggery.] Manly have now dug their own grave by not even be bothered to cross a bridge down the road. Nite Nite Manly, you and Tooves are gone, Des coming to finish ya off for good this weekend,. In the finals for last 5 years and on life support, go figure.

CC Not once in that rambled response did you provide any ACTUAL facts or figures. Just comments like "Yo do understand the way taxation works" and "You will be shot down in flames." Enlightening stuff. - Thanks for the tax lesson btw. I had no idea that NRL fans...wait for it... pay taxes and GST for tickets and things like food. How groundbreaking. I guess followers of other sports are exempt from this onerous burden. - You refused to comment on the Public facility (Coll) vs Private facility (Cron) argument: a major point of difference for any government grant. That's ok, just ignore it and say "The intrigue involved in that monies left quite a few people bemused". Crystal clear then. - You also acknowledged that Cronulla received $10M from the Fed Govt but when asked to state how much the club contributed itself, you simply said: "You go figure how much the club has kicked in. A hell of a lot in todays monies". Well, case closed. Just so we're clear, Collingwood got $10M because they put that amount in themselves. - You declare that Leichardt and Brookvale deserve modern facilities in the 21st Century...ok fine...who pays? The clubs can't seem to...the NRL won't. Should all clubs get $10M like Cronulla? Is that "even handedness"? - You seem angry that the Govt "lied" about its finances. Not only is that not true, it's not the point of this discussion. It's mind boggling that you can't acknowledge that SOME of the responsibility for upgrading rugby league stadiums, should fall to the clubs that use them and the League that profits from them. Simply saying, "we pay taxes" just misses the point completely.

Well the hill is really loved when the wild winds and rain blow at Brookvale,because i see more relatives in my extended family than I do watching from the hill. if the fans choose to reatin the hill,tthen let them put up with the elements.

AR Rates is just one aspect as are rental costs. When you go to an NRL match ,you pay for tickets GST included,you buy product cooked (GST),players and employees of licensed clubs and football teams pay income tax.people arrive by public transport pay into the states coffersSecurity guards ,groundsmen,. I could go on. Yo do understand the way taxation works.Maybe not.You must believe fans and players and employees of the NRL are non citizens, who pay no state or fed taxes.We äint 'utopia . The fed govt is pay $10m into one of the wealthiest clubs in the country,when there are perhaps more pressing issues.The intrigue involved in that monies left quite a few people bemused. The same club that does exceptionally well out of poker machines also.Good luck to them. Let's talk Cronulla,I have already stated the Sharks received monies for their Southern Stand.The club has been in existence for nigh on 45 years not 1 year.I have been watching the team since there were wooden seats on the sideline,so don't try and lecture me on that team.You will be shot down in flames. I can handle the fact Cronulla will not get any more ,as their new development if approved will handle that aspect. What I find incongruous are grounds like Brookvale and Leichhardt,and even the SFS do not provide the cover and comfort ,that should be afforded in the 21st century.When govt's cry poor one minute and then open the mothy wallets the next.Go figure. The club owns a licensed club,the ET stand and the Peter Burnes stand ,plus the ground and car parks .You go figure how much the club has kicked in.A hell of a lot in todays monies. The Vic govt would not have built the stadium if just the Storm were involved.It has been mentioned in desptaches more than one occasion. Of course it's a moot point,but deep down we know the result,with all the cutbacks in that state. I keep repeating and it is pretty hard to get through to a mindset,I have no objection to any code securing grants for facilities, for juniors from Government.What I do object to ,are Govts one minute proclaiming they have no ,money yet find over $140m,regardless of any code contributing. It reminds me so much of what is happening with Ford.Money going to one industry,whilst others are struggling.Sorrry I believe in even handedness.

Our school athletic and sports carnivals were always held at Brookvale Oval.

But Rabbitz, that "business" is all taking place on a council-owned ground.

CC 1) You're saying that NRL have been paying into government coffers for yonks..."via their rates"??? How wonderful that a club actually pays their council rates to use facilities they don't own. Bravo! 2) You wanna talk about the Collingwood upgrade? (you've been wrongly citing this one for a while now btw). Collingwood FC is contributing $10M to upgrade a sports/fitness facility that will be open to the PUBLIC (key difference) as well as other sporting clubs like the Storm/Rebels etc. The Fed Govt is matching their $10M. How much did Cronulla get from the Fed Govt 5 years ago to upgrade? That's right, about $10M...for a PRIVATE facility. Care to tell us how much the club kicked in? (I'll give u a clue...it wasn't $10 Million). 3) In terms of your "2nd NRL Club in Melb" scenario, it's a bit of a moot point isn't it? The Vic government has already footed the entire bill for a new stadium. If the NRL wanted an exclusive home for 2 teams, and they turned up with $15M, I reckon the State Govt would jump at the chance. I'm tipping they were hoping for some help with AAMI Park...from anyone. 4) Re: the AFL cutting back on expenditure "saying something"...well, they've cut their budget by $5M per year...which is probably what they spend in Auskick waterbottles. Given the AFL has been pouring tens of millions into stadia all over the country...I'd say cutting back by a mere $5Mp.a is a pretty decent call.

I'm not actually that enthused by the Skoda upgrade either. They do have ANZ right next door after all. However I can see how, when you're only asking to upgrade one ground (as opposed to up to 9) and are putting up at least some money yourself, they got money. You also make it sound like the NRL get nothing. Heaps of NRL grounds have had upgrades recently including Kogarah, Hunter and Centrebet Stadium (some receiving more than others obviously.) it's not about the govt telling the NRL that there's no money, just saying that they've given the NRL tonnes of money and aren't a bottomless pit. Yes the majority of clubs use rectangular grounds, which is actually another great reason why they can share grounds! It's practical. Of course Hunter & WIN aren't 19th century grounds, although isn't there an issue with the main grandstand at WIN? I remember reading something about it but maybe that was something else. Hunter also got a major grandstand only a few years ago. Besides, given the distance between Sydney and Newcastle (and Woollongong) I can understand why they need their own grounds. It's the inner-sydney one's that are close together that are the questionable ones. As I said to JVGO, Toyota and Kogarah stadiums are 15-20 minutes apart (in reasonable traffic.) If the Sharks and Dragons were to share a ground they could easily get an upgrade, and probably reduce expenses as they'll split costs. 15 minutes extra travel isn't a major issue and ground sharing works for numerous clubs in a variety of sports all over the world. There's no reason why they can't share apart from pride, which isn't a good enough reason to demand tens of millions of dollars. Leichardt is 15-30 minutes from the SFS and ANZ. If the Tigers want to keep playing there then that's fine. Just don't ask for millions of dollars in upgrades when they have two perfectly adequate stadiums within half an hour of Leichardt that more than meet their needs. Campbelltown is excused because of distance (though they'd need to play more than 3 games a year there to make an upgrade worthwhile.)

Council rates for starters . Poker machine tax,similar to the tax clubs like Collingwood have.How generous LOL.And lets not forget the rl fans who at last reports are taxpayers in this fair state,and are not a mere handfull.The players and club employess are also taxpayers.Geez. Well AR as you ignorance has come to the fore.Try a club called Cronullawho went to the trouble and at great expense and with a large debt to develop their ground and infrastructure. As far as I am aware St george over the years put in money into their gounds together with govt funding. I stated I am fine withGovt grants>I am just appalled at govts stating on one hand they have no money,the next they find large amounts for a club that just arrived in town. And that takesinto account a code saying we have $10 m to assist.FHS if you have no money ,you have no money. We have learnt how thing operate with the questionable decision by the fed govt to grant colliwngwood monies,which apparnetly went via the back door.Kate Lundy no less. The reality is Govts lie when it suits,and the AFL in this case GWS were the beneficiaries. You honestly believe if a 2nd NRL club lobbed into melbourne,and stated we have $15m,will the state govt grant us the balance to build a new stadium they would accede to the request.Fat chance. The fact that your code's head body has had to cut back on expenditure says something.

Matt F.I act as though every code should be treated on a fair and equitable basis. I am aware ofToyota I spend half my life there.The club paid for most of the infrastructure,the feds for the Southern stand.There is still stuff all cover available on wet days. Hunter and Win are not 19th century grounds. The by far majority of sporting codes in this state use rectangular grounds.Thye have been around for yonks,not 30 years not 1 year. That is fine if the govt says they have no money so be it.When they say they have no money and throw around $141m on a minor code,then as a taxpayer and one who has nolove for Manly but believes people have a right to comfort have a right to question decisions.

JVGO - When cricket in NSW asks for money for an upgrade it's only asking for one stadium. The NRL asks for 9. That's the clear and obvious difference. Numerous NRL grounds have been upgraded over the last 10 years but they can't keep upgrading so many stadiums forever. Kogarah and Toyota stadium are 15 minutes from each other, Why can't the Sharks and Dragons share a ground? If they did this they'd have a fantastic chance of getting an upgrade. It works for the AFL sides and it works for Inter and AC Milan. It's good enough for these two sides and would substantially improve their chances of getting upgrades. Leichardt Oval is 15 minutes from the SFS and 20 from ANZ. The Tigers can move their Leichardt games there quite easily. The travel factor isn't an issue. They can still play at Campbelltown due to the travel time. Or, they can keep playing at Leichardt but stop asking for upgrades when they have two more than adequate stadiums within 1/2 hour of the ground.