Iemma said Sydney underplayed its major events,and big-name concerts should be held to build anticipation ahead of the grand final or the New Year’s Test,or even a procession like the AFL’s Grand Final Parade – and an extra public holiday.
“Why not?” he said. “Let’s put the thinking cap on and capitalise on the grand final. It’s more than just the two hours that the match is on. What other things can we do before and after to just lift life in the city for that week?
“Sometimes when there’s an NRL grand final in Sydney,unless you live in the suburb where the team comes from,you’re struggling to know there’s a grand final on,just moving around the city.”
By contrast,it was impossible to move around Melbourne in grand final week and not be aware of the event,Iemma said. He attended in 2018,and it left a lasting impression.
Iemma said his immediate priority in the role was to complete master plans for the agency’s Newcastle and Wollongong precincts,and bolster the major events calendar. But remarking the Moore Park and Olympic Park precincts in Sydney – respectively home to the Allianz and Accor stadiums – was also important.
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He said there was scope to better use the facilities,including for concerts,with the government pledging to lift the annual cap on music concerts at Allianz,which will face some resistance from neighbours and sporting codes.
Both groups needed to appreciate the venues must be multi-use and multipurpose,Iemma said.
“It’s a big investment ... in the end they belong to the taxpayer,” he said. “Outside of the A-League and the NRL,there are many months Allianz is not used.”
Iemma noted the government’s drive to boost Sydney’s night-time economy,the responsibility of minister John Graham. “We could be the precincts where his agenda takes place,” he said.
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However,he accepted there was little appetite within the government for big ticket expenditure,given the state’s current debt. “We have to be ready for when economic conditions and budgets improve,but in the meantime using the venues we’ve got to attract events.”
He had been widely tipped for the vacancy after Labor won the March election,following the resignation of businessman Tony Shepherd – also chairman of the GWS Giants – in February. Rod McGeoch,steward of Sydney’s successful Olympics bid,had been acting in the role. Shepherd is also chairman of the Entertainment Quarter.
Department of Customer Service secretary Emma Hogan was also appointed to the board. Last year the chairman was paid $70,000 and each director $40,000.
The Premier’s Department and Office of Sport led the appointment process for the roles. The final selection panel comprised International Olympics Committee vice president John Coates,Office of Sport chief executive Karen Jones and Axiom managing director Peter Perry.
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