Souths' oval to be razed - 11 February 2006

SYDNEY City Council will spend $500,000 to demolish the contaminated Redfern Oval - and the Rabbitohs won't stop them.

The council yesterday disclosed its development application to flatten the grandstand, seating, scoreboard, spectator hills and fencing.

The DA revealed the 76-year-old oval contains a cocktail of potentially hazardous substances, including alarming levels of lead, mercury and possibly asbestos.

Environmental consultants MPL recommended demolition - to cost $500,000 - could proceed under expert safety supervision.

Levelling the Rabbitohs' spiritual burrow is stage one of a $19 million plan to convert the site into an ultra-modern training centre for Souths and a park for residents.

Six years in the making, the mooted project has raised considerable ire at Souths because its 8000 capacity does not deliver a stadium suitable for NRL matches.

The football club and its loyal sponsor, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, slapped a green ban on Redfern last year.

The alliance soured yesterday when Souths effectively withdrew from the fight, sparking accusations of "treachery" from the CFMEU.

Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas said the club had to be content with getting "a first-class training facility" in its backyard.

"In an ideal world we'd love to play three or four matches at Redfern each season," he said. "But we've got to draw a line in the sand and accept what's offered."

The council DA will remain on display for public comment until March 13.

If the DA is approved, demolition of the oval is expected to begin mid-year.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18104254-5001022,00.html

 Detailsd of the DA can be found at:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/details.asp?tpk=782193