'Stop delay, just build it' - Sunday Times.au

[NewsBot]

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...0-2761,00.html
Jim Kelly
July 04, 2007 02:00pm

IT is time for the State Government to stop delaying and build a new Perth sports stadium, Opposition leader Paul Omodei said.
Mr Omodei, whose personal preference is for a stadium on Burswood peninsula, said the new arena could be completed within five years if the government made a decision now.

"The public of WA want and deserve a new football stadium,'' he said.

"The government should get on with the job.

"There is no doubt in my mind, if the government delays this project, it will be purely for political purposes.''

The State Government has refused to commit to a timetable for the project but appears set to follow stadium taskforce advice which recommended the East Perth power station and Kitchener
Park in Subiaco as the best of four sites considered for the development.

The redevelopment of Subiaco Oval, favoured by the WA Football Commission, and building a new stadium at Burswood were dismissed as options by the taskforce as being too expensive and risky.

Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke has also backed a new stadium over redeveloping Subiaco Oval, which he described as a second rate option which would not necessarily serve the interests of competing sports codes.

But he refused to be rushed into a decision on where the complex would be built.

He said although the stadium would primarily be used for AFL football, it required support from all users to be a success.

Talks with the various codes were continuing and Mr Kobelke said he hoped agreement on a site would be reached within 18 months.

"We are not going to put a lot of taxpayers money into a stadium that only half works,'' he said.

"We want to make sure that this stadium is going to work for the next 30 or 40 years.''

[Skiza]

Its a lot easier for Omodei to say it, when he's not the one in power! However, i like that his personal preference is Burswood, that would be sweet...but its not going to happen. I think East Perth would be a good site.

[Jess]

Said it will be postponed for another 18 months on the news last night!!!

Talking about turning it into an election issue.

We just want a new stadium and we want it NOW! (or in a few years or so depending how long it takes to build )

[Happy]

18months ?? on the ABC Kobelkie was quoted as saying 2013 at the earliest!!

[Jess]

The decision will be postponed for 18 months.

[PerthGirl]

I can't understand why they want to delay the decision on where to build, surely the report has come up with all the info needed to make a decision NOW!! The longer the Government waits the more costs will go up.