Western Sydney Stadium Concept Proposal & Stage 1

I wish for a Safe Standing section in the northern end of the new stadium. This safe standing section which has been used at FIFA World cups, EUROPEAN UEFA Cups, UEFA Champions league & Europa league, Copa America, Bundesliga, Premeir League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Seire - A, Portuguese Premiera Liga, Scottish, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Japan, China, USA, Swedish and many more football leagues plus Rugby in France, Italy, Scotland & Spain also.
It can be sold as s far cheaper ticket like they do in Germany at nearly 1/3 the cost of a regular seat which is why their attendances are the highest for any football league in the world at the sell 20-30% of their tickets for 6-9€.

Positives
it is safe, cheap to install, easier to increase attendances & very affordable for single tickets or seasons tickets & club which have stadiums with safe standing have the higher membership renewal rate versus clubs without in all nations, which means customers are far more satisfied with their sporting experience.

Negatives
None found in 15 years of use in major football countries including stadiums which have 25,000 safe standing sections.

I would like to see safe standing installed in the bays where the red and black bloc. This will be much safer environment for fans and police. Considering the western Sydney wanderers will be the only full time tenants, it shouldn't be hard to cater to them.

Dear Premier, relevant ministers, & primary honchos,

As someone who will be attending the new stadium on a frequent basis I would like to register my support for safe standing in the new active supporter's terrace.

With what Western Sydney Wanderers & their magnificent supporters have done for the west, both culturally & economically, I think it's of the utmost importance the new stadium reflects this with an adequate safe standing zone for active supporters.

Thank you,
-Tiernan

Please include safe standing capacity at one end for the Wanderers supporters. Rugby League & Union opponents of this move befuddle me. If the norm is for all to be seated during their games, then that is accommodated by modern safe seating proposals.
As a Western Sydney fan and a Parramatta fan, who regularly attends games of both codes, this is an absolute must for a modern stadium in Sydney's west.

1. The stadium size is too small. What is the point of replacing a 22,000 capacity stadium with 30,000. It should be a minimum of 40,000.
2. It should be all seated. The thought that standing terraces at the end of the ground, as suggested by the FFA, should be rejected out of hand.
3. All seating should be coloured, similar to suncorp stadium in QLD. This gives the effect of a large crowd even when not full. It should not be mono-coloured like ANZ stadium.
4. The stadium should have a retractable roof, especially if it is going to be used for other events besides football.

1. 30,000 seats is only about 8,000 more than at present! So, why bother? Fix the existing and spend the money on transport. The stadium's capacity should be at least 40,000 - 45,000.
2. It should roofed, especially if it is going to be used for concerts and similar events.

There has been a failure to consult with the community regarding the proposed. There is no obvious reason that the existing war memorial pool and a new stadium should not co-exist. The government owes our community the basic respect to investigate and report on alternative configurations.

Parramatta pool is a highly valued facility that is available to the public for recreation and exercise. It provides unestimable benefits to the health of locals. The demolition of the pool will rob local residents of their enjoyment of this facility and of the associated health benefits.

The proposed stadium will be rarely used and then only for passive entertainment of patrons. There is nothing wrong with the existing stadium and it is a disgrace that public funds are being allocated to benefit the rugby league clubs, the clubs should be providing all funds for new infrastructure.

Parramatta stadium as it exists and as it is proposed is in the wrong location. It is distant from public transport and the parking as existing and as proposed is entirely inadequate. Public access to Parramatta pool and also to Parramatta park is severely restricted when events are held at the stadium.

There could be no poorer example than this stadium of the Government's inability to plan, consult and consider on behalf of the wider interests of the community rather than at the behest of vested narrow interest groups.

I object to the demolition of Parramatta MEMORIAL Swimming Centre. I object to the re-purposing of this land for commercial use. The stadium needs to be re-designed to accommodate the existing pool. The demolition should not start until a new design for the stadium that co-exists with the pool has been developed or demolition of the pool should not start until a new swimming facility is built and operational. A pool that is in a location that the COMMUNITY want and a pool design that the COMMUNITY want.
The pool and current stadium have more value to the community than a new stadium by itself.
I did not see the community members campaigning for a new stadium but i do see community members campaigning to save the pool.
Having the park with its recreational activities and the pool in the same area so close to the CBD is part of what makes Parramatta a great city- the current design of stadiam and demolition of the pool will tear this apart.

I object to the demolition of Parramatta MEMORIAL Swimming Centre. I object to the re-purposing of this land for commercial use. The stadium needs to be re-designed to accommodate the existing pool. The demolition should not start until a new design for the stadium that co-exists with the pool has been developed or demolition of the pool should not start until a new swimming facility is built and operational. A pool that is in a location that the COMMUNITY want and a pool design that the COMMUNITY want.
The pool and current stadium have more value to the community than a new stadium by itself.
I did not see the community members campaigning for a new stadium but i do see community members campaigning to save the pool.
Having the park with its recreational activities and the pool in the same area so close to the CBD is part of what makes Parramatta a great city- the current design of stadiam and demolition of the pool will tear this apart.

I oppose the development of the Western Sydney Stadium.
Its placement near the historic and beautiful park precinct would be grossly insensitive in terms of physical presence, noise and congestion. This area contains several buildings of national architectural and historical significance. Insensitive development would be inconsistent with current international practice, and irreversible.
Parramatta's diverse community enjoys access to the public spaces of Parramatta Pool and the park precincts. They are a place for youth to meet in a safe and healthy environment, making Parramatta a better place for the whole community. I am appalled that this important resource is at serious risk for the sake of a carpark within the Western Sydney Stadium development.

I object to the current plans for the Western Sydney Stadium: 1.as it involves the demolition of Parramatta War Memorial Swimming pool. This pool must be retained. 2. Venues NSW did not comply with the relevant community groups such as the North Parramatta Residents Action Group. 3. The Parra War Memorial pool is currently leased from the Parramatta Park Trust and this crown land was not identified in the EIS and furthermore the proposed change in the use of this Crown Land did not go through the statutory notice as per the Crown Lands Act. 4. The vistas and view of Old Government House will be severly compromised by the bulk and height of the new stadium.

6th August 2016



Submission regarding Western Sydney Stadium (Concept & Stage 1 Demolition)

I am writing this submission to lodge my opposition against the proposal, SSD 16_7534.

I do not object to the stadium but there is no reason the two land uses cannot continue to coexist. From my understanding of the proposal, the need to demolish the pool has resulted from increased parking pushing the footprint of the new stadium building over the Parramatta War Memorial Pool footprint. There must be an alternative method if this number of parking spaces has to be provided, such as underground parking like Etihad Stadium. However a smarter way of developing this proposal would be to have as few car parking places as possible and encourage people to catch public transport, which is done for many events in Sydney such as the Easter Show and music festivals and the football should be no exception. Putting in a large amount of car spaces will only encourage more people to drive to the venue, exacerbating Parramatta's every increasing congestion and contributing to regional air pollution.

The pool is a valuable asset for the community, which cannot be replaced just by building another pool complex, if that even happens. It is a quintessential Australian outdoor pool complex, with lovely 1950's heritage features. Once it is gone these heritage elements can never be replaced. History takes time and the saving of heritage landmarks is something later generations are always grateful for. It is also a hugely popular complex and it always crowded in spring, summer and autumn, by locals for whom a trip to the beach is no quick exercise.

It is also very important as a center where people can learn to swim. This is very important in an area with many new Australians. The population of Parramatta is ever increasing and I find it completely nonsensical that the government would even consider taking away such a useful community asset.

I was also not consulted about this proposal. I understand the proponent consulted football fans but have the pool's patrons been consulted? I have a membership and I was not. The proponent was supposed to consult with relevant groups during the preparation of the EIS. As a pool user, I am part of a relevant group.

The pool is on land leased from the Parramatta Park Trust, and therefore sits on Crown Land. This was not identified in the EIS. The proposed change of use of Crown Land has not gone through the proper processes, as required in the Crown Land Act.

The World Heritage listed Old Government House and its vistas will also be compromised by the high of the proposed stadium. The size is inappropriate for a historically sensitive area.

Mildi Palmer
13/11 Pye Avenue
Northmead NSW 2152

Our group find it necessary to comment on the State Government proposal to demolish the Parramatta Football Stadium and in doing so demolishing the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Pool.

What is happening to the Parramatta community is that the State government has let this project go ahead despite the objection by the Parramatta community. Planning Minister Rob Stokes has not checked to see if the consultations were carried out according to the policies that his portfolio is supposed to operate, Venues NSW was supposed to conduct a community consultation, but they only spoke to three football clubs. Now they have realised the mistake they are scrambling to meet with community groups, aiming to divide and conquer, hoping to cover their mistake.

* The community have a right to keep the facility for the Parramatta Memorial Pool
* The pool is built on Crown Land owned by the community
* There is a duty of care by Parramatta Council to provide a facility
* The NSW Government cannot sell or lease Crown Land to private enterprise
* With a slight movement of the footprint of the stadium the pool can co-exist
* Or build the new stadium at the Wanderers Home Ground at the Olympic Grounds at Blacktown.

Many groups are now working and are making their presence known. Since 2014 many concerned groups have voiced the concerns, the NSW government is not listening, and the politicians are not listening. They are too concerned about making money. Premier Baird said in a news release that Sydney was a Soulless City. He is right; the reason is that due to his planning policies the green space is reduced, you only need to think about what they want to do with the North Parramatta Heritage Precinct.

When Urban Growth first announced this there were 6,000 high rise apartments on the site, now they are only proposing 2,000. A big drop, but as soon as they get the go ahead, they will increase it back up.

June Bullivant has just been elected to the Parramatta Female Factory Friends group, her interest in local history and heritage goes back to the Parramatta Female Orphan School in 1990. She has been a strong campaigner for the Parramatta and Granville areas since that time.

I object to Application SSD 7534 on the basis of the following:
1. This development proposal has an enormous impact on the community, but has not been widely advertised. The transparency of state and local government bodies is called into serious question as it appears that public opinion has not been sought until it is too late to do anything about it.
2. Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool has existed since 1959 or thereabouts and is a community icon - in a similar category to heritage-listed structures. Why it should be demolished to increase the capacity of Parramatta Stadium is a mystery.
3. The pool is one of a few remaining outdoor pools. It is much healthier than indoor swimming complexes and probably much cheaper to run.
4. The obviously increasing summertime temperatures make the demolition of any community pool complex a serious issue - where are we going to swim in the meantime? Parramatta is a long way from the beach; the lake provides a tiny alternative suitable for small numbers only; the river is unsuitable for swimming; surrounding indoor swimming complexes are more expensive and further away and also don't provide the same facilities. Most of the time you have to compete with busloads of school students or kids having swimming lessons and only 1 or 2 lanes in a shorter pool are available to the public.
5. So far there is no immediate alternative - the suggested building of a complex on the old golf course is only a feasibility study. Build a new pool before you demolish the old one so people have a decent place to swim in and don't replace it with one that's going to be more expensive to enter and to run.
6. To re-iterate: why hasn't this been more widely advertised? Like most development proposals, it seems someone is going to make a lot of money out of this, but it is not the swimming community of Parramatta and they should be thought of first.
6. Demolishing the pool is in contradiction of the move to increase physical activity and lower obesity rates in the community

My son James is 31years old
he is legally blind with some vision, and in a wheelchair
we have been a member of the club and attending the Eels game for many years at Parra stadium.

Seating and Position is very important
if the disabled section is only high in the stadium our son will be unable to see any of the game ( at present we are bay 47 disabled section)
we are at present at half way position.
no cover is available for disabled which should be considered

any further discussion please contact

Please see attached letter.

I object to the current EIS because there are major flaws in the submission and I also object to the demolition of the Parramatta Pool BEFORE an alternative pool is built. I also object to the demolition of the pool to make way for a new stadium that will not be used EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, whereas Parramatta Pool has very high patronage. I also object to the size of the land that is not vital to the pool that will be used for means not specified in the EIS. My objection is attached.

I object to the proposed redevelopment of Parramatta Stadium.

I believe Parramatta MEMORIAL Pool should be kept, as is, as an outside pool with surrounding grass and gardens.

Parramatta Pool is a War Memorial and should be kept as is and honoured.

There is a real charm with Parramatta Pool with its surrounding grass and gardens. Many local children who live in flats and units appreciate the feel of grass beneath their feet while playing at Parramatta Pool.

A local Year 6 boy attended the local Public schools zone swimming carnival and was thrilled to be able to represent his school. He could only attend the zone swimming carnival as it was held at Parramatta Pool, an outside pool. This boy has autism and indoor aquatic centres are too noisy for him.

A local young high school girl trains and competes as a member of the Parramatta Memorial Swim Club. She has asthma. Her parents specifically chose Parramatta swim club as meets are held at an outside pool. Indoor aquatic centres negatively affect this young girls asthma.


The SEARs Report issued by Department of Planning states under Consultation that "During the preparation of the EIS, you must consult with the relevant local, State or Commonwealth Government authorities, service providers, community groups and affected landowners" The Consultation Report lodged by Venues NSW reports under Community Consultation "Two Fan Forums were held on 18 January and 9 February 2016. The forums included representatives from the NRL teams - Bulldogs, West Tigers and Parramatta Eels, the Western Sydney Wanderers and from Football Federation Australia"
Therefore I believe Venues NSW did not comply with the Department of Planning SEARs report by consulting with community groups during the preparation of the EIS.
The EIS is premature and should be pulled from exhibition and meaningful consultation with community groups be carried out and a new consultation report submitted again with a new EIS submission.

The Parramatta War Memorial Pool currently leases land from the Parramatta Park Trust; this is Crown Land that was not identified in the EIS. Further the proposed change of use of Crown Land or land that is vested as part of the Parramatta Park Trust Act 2001- did not go through the statutory notification process as per the Crown Land Act.

Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia and is World Heritage listed. The proposed 30,000 seat stadium will be significantly taller than Pirtek Stadium and obstruct views from Old Government House.

World Heritage Listed Old Government House and its Vistas will be compromised by a stadium height of 42.5 metres. This size of development is inappropriate for surrounding historically sensitive area.

Could a new stadium be built on the old Parramatta golf course without affecting views from Old Government House?

I wish to object to the proposed development as follows:- The provision of well maintained, convenient and accessible sporting facilities is essential to the health and well being of our community. The residents of the Parramatta region have long benefitted from the use of Parramatta Pool conveniently located just on the edge of the CBD within the Parramatta Park curtilage, which is also a well used and word renown park and heritage precinct. Just a few short years ago many millions of rate payer funds were expended to upgrade the pool and I understand this pool is only one of two within the Sydney region to have a 10 lane pool and Olympic Standard diving board. Further, this pool is a memorial pool and I understand funds to build the original pool were obtained by public subscription. As such Parramatta Pool is in the truest sense owned by the people of Parramatta and they should have a say in the future of their pool. The location of the pool is not just happenstance but it provides easy access for those who work in the CBD to engage in water sports before, during and after work especially on those days when the temperature soars beyond 40 degrees as is often the case in the warmer months. There are also many schools within walking distance of the Pool and of course O'Connell Street Public School will be located just across the road. Swimming in the Parramatta River is not an option. Australia is the envy of the world when it comes to our outdoor lifestyle and sporting achievement, especially swimming. This is not by chance and the provision of swimming pools especially in the western suburbs provides opportunities for aspiring children to reach their swimming potential without enduring the inconvenience of many hours of travel to the eastern beaches. I grew up in Mt Druitt and was part of the campaign to not only get a pool for Mt Druitt but to also defend it when closures was considered recently. Going to a pool provides cheap, clean, healthy activity for all persons of all ages. A family pass to Parramatta Pool is $19.00 yet the cheapest individual ticket to Pirtek stadium now costs over $30. You can stay at the pool all day but the stadium event is for just a few hours. The pool is open every day except good friday. The stadium is open now and then for specific football events. As such more people can afford to use the pool more often at less cost and engage in healthier pursuits than fans watching a match for a few hours now and then. Currently, the stadium and pool coexist to service the needs of varying sports. Demolition of the pool to provide space for a larger stadium only serves to provide a larger venue for a limited clientele whereas the pool is much more egalitarian and provides a much better cost benefit to the community than a larger stadium. Surely, with the world renowned architects we have a stadium can be designed to coexist with the current pool. Perhaps a redesign master plan with a pool complex within the greater stadium design? However, I am concerned there are many old and unique heritage structures around the stadium as it is within the Parramatta Park heritage precinct. As mentioned O'Connell Street Public School on the site of the Old Kings School just across the road will be dwarfed by the shadow of the proposed new stadium. We have massive 1840's sandstone buildings that are iconic that have stood for one and half centuries testament to the vision of our forebears that sit proudly overlooking the Parramatta river and CBD. We also have government house just across the river that is also in danger of being dwarfed by 21st century largesse. Within Parramatta city we have just as many heritage buildings as Sydney but unlike Sydney we can still preserve them in an appropriate settings without hiding them in canyons of high rise. Parramatta should have its own identity, preserving access to its heritage for all of the community. This includes the memorial pool, the people's pool, paid for by the people and enjoyed by the people 364 days a year. Indeed with Parramattas booming development we need more recreational space, not less. The question should not be about removing the pool, it should be about the cost benefit to the community of our sporting facilities. Clearly, the Parramatta Memorial Pool currently and even more so into the future provides a much more substantial benefit to the community than an enlarged stadium. It is my submission the pool should not be sacrificed and the stadium redesigned to ensure the pool remains for decades to come.

As A community member, a long term resident of Parramatta whose children regularly used Parramatta Pools, I have not been offered an consultation re the destruction of Parramatta Pool. Parramatta Pool leases land from Parramatta Park which is Crown Land. A change in use of Crown Land to make way for the expansion of Piritek Stadium has not been done in accordance with the Crown Land Act.
Parramatta, NSWand Australia is very fortunate to have Old Government House with its uninterrupted vistas from the House. My son was recently married there and it was lovely to be on the grounds with their uninterrupted views of contryside from outside the house. I imagined these views are similar to when the house was first built. I was told there is a covenant that the vists will remain uninterrupted as this is an important Heritage site. The heights proposed for the expansion of the Stadium breeches the Covenant as it will be seen from Old Government House