Sydney's $730 million shame: Photo shows the inside of a perfectly functioning stadium gutted and covered in debris as work begins on a billion dollar upgrade NOBODY wants
- Photos show work has started on a $730 million Allianz Stadium redevelopment
- Along with ANZ Stadium, the work is part of $2 billion project by government
- Petition calling work a 'waste of resources' has reached over 217,000 signatures
One of Sydney's premiere and perfectly functioning stadiums is undergoing demolition and redevelopment in a $730 million project that was not asked for by taxpayers.
Allianz Stadium in the city's inner south is currently being partially torn down and covered in debris - as a petition to stop the redevelopment reaches more than 217,000 signatures.
Photos show work on the project, which critics have called a 'waste of resources,' has begun.
The field appears to be torn up, with seats and other debris scattered across the stadium, and construction fencing and scaffolding setup.
One of Sydney's premiere and perfectly functioning stadiums is undergoing demolition and redevelopment in a $730 million project that was not asked for by taxpayers
Allianz Stadium, in the city's inner south, is currently being partially torn down and covered in debris - as a petition to stop the redevelopment reaches over 217,000 signatures
The stadium is one of two being redeveloped, along with ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park, in a massive $2 billion project by the Berejiklian government.
Peter FitzSimons, a well known author and former rugby player, started a petition calling on the government to 'reconsider their decision to knock down two perfectly fine sports stadiums, at a staggering cost of $2 billion, to replace them with new ones, at a time when there is zero public demand to replace either.'
The petition asked funds be put to better use by building 100 projects across the state at a cost of $10 million dollars each, allowing local communities to see 'a thousand fields, pools, courts and arenas bloom, doing something for the wider people of NSW and not merely the tiny percentage involved in elite sport.'
A petition has asked for the funds to be put to better use for all the people of the state and not just those at the elite level
The petition says this would still leave half the project cost, a staggering $1 billion, to be put towards refurbishing the two stadiums and improving other much needed community facilities such as schools, hospitals and theatres.
Since the plan was announced, the Liberal Government has been facing pressure to justify the huge expense as it deals with cost blowouts and completion delays on its troubled Sydney Light Rail project.
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That project's completion has been delayed by 14 months and contractor Acciona has revealed the construction cost has almost doubled.
Acciona is suing the Liberal government for $1.1 billion, alleging the company was misled when provided information on how to handle Ausgrid's utilities by the government.
Critics of the new stadium plan, including former Labor leader Luke Foley, have claimed the redevelopment is unnecessary.
Sports Minister Stuart Ayres claims the project is needed as the venue is not safe and does not have enough disabled seating or female toilets.
A render of the new Allianz Stadium to replace the existing at a cost of $730 million
