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NSW government decides not to knock down ANZ stadium

ANZ Stadium won't be knocked down but refurbished under a new plan. (AAP Images)
29th March, 2018
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After a wave of public criticism, the NSW government has decided it won’t go ahead with a plan to knock down and rebuild ANZ Stadium.

The stadium built for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney was earmarked to be demolished but Premier Gladys Berekiklian has agreed to a compromise to refurbish the stadium at a cost of $800 million.

The cost is half a billion dollars less than the original demolish and rebuild model.

Instead, two-thirds of the stadium will be refurbished.

Allianz Stadium (also known as the Sydney Football Stadium) will still be demolished and rebuilt to bring it up to scratch as a world-class facility at a cost of $730 million.

It’s expected that ANZ Stadium will still eventually be made into a rectangular ground and the compromise deal has ensured that the NRL Grand Final will be played in Sydney for the next 25 years.

“I do want to stress that had we renovated every seat in the ANZ Stadium, it would have cost more than knocking it down and rebuilding it,” Ms Berekiklian said.

“Refurbishing around two thirds of the spectator experience will change the atmosphere of the entire stadium… with fans closer to the action.”

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The Premier said her government had listened to the community with the vast majority outraged by the initial $1.3 billion pricetag to demolish and then rebuild the Homebush venue.

“We don’t apologise for listening to the community and doing our homework,” she said.

The Allianz Stadium rebuild is expected to start later this year and once complete will be able to seat 45,000 people.

The NRL is expected to issue a statement on the news later today.

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