By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG Football Club has ramped up lobbying for $140 million in the lead-up to the federal election to complete the club’s redevelopment of Simonds Stadium.
The club started arguing its case for stages four and five funding to Federal Government late last year but this week upped the ante in its pitch to political, business and community stakeholders.
The club was scheduled this Thursday to brief Australian Regional Development Committee’s Barwon Southwest body.
Cats chief Brian Cook is heading the pitch with Chris Dare of the Waypoint Group, which was involved in Simonds Stadium’s stage-three works as well as projects for Collingwood, West Coast Eagles and Port Adelaide.
Stage four would replace the Brownlow and Jennings stands for $80 million. Stage five would replace the Ford Stand and Ablett and Southern terraces and refurbish the Hickey Stand for $60 million.
The previous three stages cost $104 million.
G21 Regional Alliance chief executive Elaine Carbines confirmed the briefing to the regional development committee.
“Now stage three is complete there’s another $140 million they’re looking for from various sources, not just state and federal government,” she said.
“The football club has been briefing many stakeholders and in the lead-up to the federal election they’ll be looking for a commitment to stage four.”
Stages four and five would allow the Kardinia Park stadium to also host T20 Big Bash, NRL, Super 15 Rugby and A-League Soccer matches and concerts.
The projects would consolidate the ground as Victoria’s third national multi-purpose stadium, after the MCG and Etihad Stadium.
G21 estimates a fully-redeveloped Simonds Stadium would generate direct spending of $624 million over 10 years.
Corangamite Labor MP Darren Cheeseman said he looked forward to any stadium proposal from the Cats.
“But very clearly there are very substantial budget constraints that exist,” he said.
Corio Labor MP Richard Marles said the club was “putting its case forward, which they’re fully titled to do”.
“I think it’s a good thing they’re out there. There’s no doubt the football club has a great case … but there are a lot of worthy projects out there.”
