Vic: Premier defends government on Waverley heritage moves

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2000
Vic: Premier defends government on Waverley heritage moves

MELBOURNE, Aug 27 AAP - Premier Steve Bracks today defended his government's efforts
to save the beleaguered Waverley Park football ground, ahead of this week's decision on
whether it will be heritage-listed.

The listing is opposed by the park's owner, the Australian Football League (AFL), which
wants to sell it and its carpark for $85 million.

Mr Bracks comments came as the ground, in Melbourne's outer east, returned to life
to host the state's second football competition, the Victorian Football League (VFL) grand
final between North Ballarat and Sandringham.

He rejected accusations by opposition leader Denis Napthine that the government had
not done enough to save the park.

Speaking before the grand final, Mr Bracks told reporters his government had had five
meetings with the AFL since coming to office, while the opposition had not met them once.

"The future of Waverley Park is now before Heritage Victoria, so it is not appropriate
for the government to meet the AFL on this issue (now)", Mr Bracks said.

"The government is committed to doing what it can to see if the future of Waverley
can be secured."

Waverley Park was built in 1970 as a state-of-the-art football venue and was the showpiece
of what is now the AFL. It can hold about 120,000 people.

The AFL decided to close it as a football venue after this year's pre-season competition,
moving games to the new Colonial Stadium at Docklands. The last AFL game was played there
in February.

In a move generally regarded as retaliation for the closure, the City of Greater Dandenong
then nominated Waverley Park for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register, citing
its architectural, cultural and social significance and calling it a "national sporting
icon".

Heritage Victoria has said the site is of "national and state cultural significance".

It is one of the most advanced examples of reinforced concrete structures in Australia.

If the park is added to the register, it would be legally protected and its owners
would need permits from Heritage Victoria to alter, subdivide or demolish it.

AAP sjg/imc/rs

KEYWORD: AFL WAVERLEY NIGHTLEAD

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