Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

8 May 2007

The Australian Government will provide $25 million to help build the new grandstand on the old Hill site at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The funding commitment, which was announced by the Prime Minister on 4 January 2007, is conditional upon an equal contribution from the New South Wales Government.

“The new grandstand will improve spectator facilities and increase the ground’s capacity to 47,000 from its current 44,000,” the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, said today.

The new stand will hold an expanded and refurbished SCG Museum which will feature a multi-screen presentation of great Australian sportsmen and women and house a large collection of cricket memorabilia. The stand will host a new video scoreboard visible from all areas in the ground, and ensure the old scoreboard is reconstructed in Paddington Lane, where it will continue to be a feature of the SCG, as it has over the last century, and serve as an entrance to Members and the public.

“This funding will ensure the SCG remains a world-class venue for national and international sport without compromising its rich heritage,” Senator Brandis said.

The SCG has played host to a number of significant national and international sporting events, including the 1938 Empire Games, the heroics of cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman and countless memorable rugby league battles, including the 1963 grand final between St George and Western Suburbs.

The iconic and much-loved ground also hosted Australia’s first rugby union international, against Great Britain in 1899, and in more recent times, was where former Australian captain Steve Waugh scored a century off the last ball of the day against England in the Fifth Ashes Test in January 2003.

The SCG has also hosted a number of spectacular concerts, featuring such artists as the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel and Elton John.

The Australian Government’s funding will ensure the SCG remains a world-class venue for national and international sporting events.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

Supporting Information

$25 million for new grandstand at the Sydney Cricket Ground

Why is this important?

• The construction of a new grandstand at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will improve spectator facilities and increase the ground capacity, ensuring the facility remains a world-class venue for national and international events.

Who will benefit?

• The Australian public.
• Through the provision of the new stand, the SCG’s capacity will increase from 44,000 to 47,000.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Australian Government will provide $25 million, conditional on the New South Wales Government fully matching the Australian Government contribution.

What have we done in the past?

• During the 2004 Federal election campaign, the Government committed $37.9 million for 38 sport and recreation facilities projects around the nation.
• In the 2005-06 Budget, the Government provided grants of:
• $15 million to the City of Marion in South Australia for the construction of the South Australian State Aquatic Centre;
• $15 million to the Melbourne Cricket Club for the establishment of an Australian National Sports Museum; and
• $9.6 million to the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club to support the upgrade of Toyota Park.

When will the initiative conclude?

• The redevelopment is expected to be completed by October 2008.