Expansion With the negativity around the new Tassie stadium, what was Perth like?

[Cleric]

As you would expect from Tasmania, there has been some backlash to the new stadium, both from politicians and some sections of the community.

When the Perth Stadium was getting built, and as its the most expensive so far in Australia, was there similar opposition in WA? If so, now it's been completed, has it been viewed as a really positive thing now? No regrets?

Adelaide was a bit different in that there was already a stadium at AO, and most people knew something had to be done about Football Parks conditions.
The only negative was that the Crows had built alot of infrastructure at FP which was going to be pulled down. But, it's just money and they were kept happy in the end.

I think once the Tassie stadium is built, and it has a roof and is a tourist attraction as well as great place for football, concerts etc, all the negative sides will fade away.

 

[Vikingnz]

Three significant differences:

1. WA has people
2. WA has 2 teams
3. (Perhaps most importantly) WA has money

 

[bzparkes]

Probably wondering why they want a new stadium when they have York Park.

Money could be better spent elsewhere but as they want to base the new team in Hobart, they simply have to build a new stadium.

Bellerive is too shite, especially when the wind rips through.

 

[The Feeder Club]

There were more complaints that it should have been bigger than there were about building it. Subi was well past its use by date.
I don't see it as analagous to the Tassie situation at all, as was said by Vikingnz above we have teams already that had outgrown their venue, and the money

 

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[Tiger2709]

Perth's Stadium is great particularly compared to the old Subiaco ground, but comparing Tassie to WA is a stretch, we had the cash the teams and the supporters to know that it would work here.

 

[Cleric]

Perth's Stadium is great particularly compared to the old Subiaco ground, but comparing Tassie to WA is a stretch, we had the cash the teams and the supporters to know that it would work here.

Its more to do with the negativity disappearing once it has been completed and shown to be of value.

The question about WA is if they had a similar experience when it was built.

 

[big_e]

Here are some comments from current WA Premier Roger Cook on the day the then-Premier Colin Barnett announced the new Perth stadium would be at Burswood:

"He really has no idea how much the stadium at Burswood is going to cost the WA taxpayer."

"How many schools will now not get built as a result of [Mr Barnett] moving forward with the Burswood option?"

"How many police stations will now be closed because he's taken the most expensive option?"

"There's no way we should be committing to this project without knowing the full cost implications."

Here's Roger Cook in 2022, when he was in government:

"Since Optus Stadium opened in 2018, the stadium and its surrounding park have provided an exceptional atmosphere for all visitors. The suite of attractions offered at Optus Stadium is second to none."

I could also point you to numerous comments talking about how many tourists that have come from interstate to see everything from Coldplay to WWE at Optus Stadium, or the ones where he talks about Optus being voted the best stadium in the world.

In short, seven years down the track, nobody gives a toss how much it cost.

 

[BarbieITFC]

Perth's Stadium is great particularly compared to the old Subiaco ground, but comparing Tassie to WA is a stretch, we had the cash the teams and the supporters to know that it would work here.

It was also at a time when the WA Government (Liberals) was winning elections based on a wave of massive infrastructure investments (new hospitals, new stadium, Elizabeth Quay, Metronet, freeway extensions) funded by the resources boom of the early 2010s.

Most of these projects were massively gold plated and expensive - and all went hugely over budget. But because we were effectively digging cash out of the ground the Government came in for limited criticism.

To give you an example - the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne cost $1bn and has 350 beds. The Perth Children’s that was built at the same time cost about $1.25bn and has 290 beds.

Plus - Subi was a dump and both clubs were regularly selling it out. For the last 4-5 years the Eagles are still getting 45k+ turn up week in week out to watch the team lose. Just imagine what it will be like in the early 2030s when they start to be competitive.

 

[BarbieITFC]

Here are some comments from current WA Premier Roger Cook on the day the then-Premier Colin Barnett announced the new Perth stadium would be at Burswood:

"He really has no idea how much the stadium at Burswood is going to cost the WA taxpayer."

"How many schools will now not get built as a result of [Mr Barnett] moving forward with the Burswood option?"

"How many police stations will now be closed because he's taken the most expensive option?"

"There's no way we should be committing to this project without knowing the full cost implications."

Here's Roger Cook in 2022, when he was in government:

"Since Optus Stadium opened in 2018, the stadium and its surrounding park have provided an exceptional atmosphere for all visitors. The suite of attractions offered at Optus Stadium is second to none."

I could also point you to numerous comments talking about how many tourists that have come from interstate to see everything from Coldplay to WWE at Optus Stadium, or the ones where he talks about Optus being voted the best stadium in the world.

In short, seven years down the track, nobody gives a toss how much it cost.

Typical opposition comments - no services were closed and plenty of schools have been built despite the gold plated stadium

 

[Cam Payne]

Three significant differences:

1. WA has people
2. WA has 2 teams
3. (Perhaps most importantly) WA has money

That's about the sum of it. Overall the public agreed it was overdue and the only real issues were where it'd be located. Everyone seems pretty pleased to have it now. Me included.

Thought I do miss the Subi Sports Bar.

 

[BarbieITFC]

That's about the sum of it. Overall the public agreed it was overdue and the only real issues were where it'd be located. Everyone seems pretty pleased to have it now. Me included.

Thought I do miss the Subi Sports Bar.

I miss walking the 1.5km from home to to Subi Oval - but despite that it’s also worth acknowledging that both governments have totally nailed the public transport infrastructure into and out of the new stadium. We’re so used to government services being so poor that it still surprises every game day with just how well it works.

 

[big_e]

Typical opposition comments - no services were closed and plenty of schools have been built despite the gold plated stadium

To be fair, that's their job. And it wasn't mindless criticism, the State Government could have built a cheaper stadium - governments don't have unlimited resources. But credit to Barnett, he did what he thought was right, and we have an excellent stadium as a result.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Three significant differences:

1. WA has people
2. WA has 2 teams
3. (Perhaps most importantly) WA has money

Perth also uses the venue for maybe 35 days of revenue drawing events, minimum 22 AFL, plus BBL, Test cricket and 1-2 ODI/T20I games. Plus more, larger, rarer events such as Wallabies games against second tier teams (NZ, Eng, SA will practically always be in Sydney and maybe Melbourne).

The Hobart white elephant would be lucky to get half that, at 2/3 to 3/4 the build cost (probably much more after inevitable blow-outs) and similar maintenance cost. 7-10 AFL games depending on finals (and requiring more state gov't funding), BBL and one white ball international game.

 

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[Cmarsh]

Probably wondering why they want a new stadium when they have York Park.

Money could be better spent elsewhere but as they want to base the new team in Hobart, they simply have to build a new stadium.

Bellerive is too shite, especially when the wind rips through.

If they based the team in Launceston there wouldn't be the political backlash that threatens the whole 19th team venture. York Park is being upgraded too.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

If they based the team in Launceston there wouldn't be the political backlash that threatens the whole 19th team venture. York Park is being upgraded too.

Any team has to be based in Hobart, and play most games there. After the first couple of years people will only travel for big games, so most of the games need to be in the biggest population centre. Finals, however, probably should mostly have been at York Park as Launceston is readily reachable from the three main population areas.

If the government was spending ridiculous amounts on a roofed vanity project at York Park the backlash would be about as much, just with more acceptance in the north and less in the south.
As it is, the upgrades to York Park are also a shameful waste, the north will continue only getting the shot drawing games as the big clubs have the clout to always play under the roof on the rare occasion they get scheduled for Tas at all.

 

[Freomaniac]

If they based the team in Launceston there wouldn't be the political backlash that threatens the whole 19th team venture. York Park is being upgraded too.

I know it's random...

But I wish Tassie had 1 million people. 500,000 in Launceston and 500,000 in Hobart.

Both of those Tassie cities could sustain a club in the AFL.

Both would get 20,000 per home game too on average.

 

[Atomboy]

As you would expect from Tasmania, there has been some backlash to the new stadium, both from politicians and some sections of the community.

When the Perth Stadium was getting built, and as its the most expensive so far in Australia, was there similar opposition in WA? If so, now it's been completed, has it been viewed as a really positive thing now? No regrets?

Adelaide was a bit different in that there was already a stadium at AO, and most people knew something had to be done about Football Parks conditions.
The only negative was that the Crows had built alot of infrastructure at FP which was going to be pulled down. But, it's just money and they were kept happy in the end.

I think once the Tassie stadium is built, and it has a roof and is a tourist attraction as well as great place for football, concerts etc, all the negative sides will fade away.

I recall being outraged that there wasn’t a roof on it because sometime it would rain and I might get wet. Mainly from the rain.