Western Stadium Stage 1 – Community Consultation Summary

Client Infrastructure NSW Date September 2016 Contact Chris O’Brien [email protected] 9387 2600 / 0439 795 206 www.elton.com.au [email protected] Sydney | Canberra | Darwin ABN 56 003 853 101 Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 2

2 SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES 3

3 SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED 5

4 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION EVENT REPORTS 6

5 ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES REPORTS 9

APPENDICES 10

A INFORMATION BOARDS/PROJECT FACT SHEETS 11

B PROJECT INFORMATION POSTCARD 18

C LETTER BOX DISTRIBUTION MAP AND MATERIAL 19

Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting iii 01 Introduction The new is part of the NSW Stage 1 – Community Government’s $1.6 billion stadium strategy to improve sporting infrastructure across the state. The new 30,000 Consultation seat, rectangular stadium is proposed to be located The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the on the site of the existing Stadium at first stage of planning approval for the Stadium was Parramatta and will: prepared and placed on public exhibition from 21 July »» be able to cater for bigger crowds, provide an to 19 August 2016. improved game day experience and bring major benefits to the Western Sydney economy This EIS details what is proposed in the concept for the »» generate approximately 1,200 jobs during stadium and the potential impacts of Stage 1 works. This construction and between 600 and 900 jobs once report details community consultation undertaken during operational for sporting event days and major events the public exhibition of the Stage 1 EIS. »» cater for a range of sporting and community uses within the precinct.

Plans for the new Western Sydney Stadium are being assessed as a State Significant Development and planning approval will be obtained in two stages. »» Stage 1 – Stadium concept proposal and demolition approval for the removal of the existing and Parramatta Pool »» Stage 2 – Stadium design, construction and operation.

The new stadium is scheduled to open in 2019.

Parramatta Eels mascots at Open Day

2 Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting Summary of 02 consultation activities

Consultation on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Stage 1 of the Western Sydney Stadium commenced on 21 July 2016 and was open for 30 days until 19 August 2016.

During this period, a number of different consultation activities were undertaken, including online and offline activities, to support greater public awareness of the project and provide interested parties with information to make a submission about the Stage 1 EIS.

Consultation activities included four “pop up” information sessions across western Sydney and an Open Day held at Parramatta Stadium.

The first pop up information session was held at Parramatta Station during the morning peak period with the aim of informing a large number of people who reside or work in Parramatta.

The locations for the three remaining pop up information sessions were determined using ticketing data from Parramatta Stadium for both and Western Sydney Wanderers games. This data showed that the most common place of residence for match attendees were the suburbs of Baulkham Hills, Wentworthville and Greystanes.

The Open Day, held on the playing field at Parramatta Stadium, was used as a drawcard to attract supporters of the Parramatta Eels and the Western Sydney Wanderers, as well as other community members, to learn more about the Western Sydney Stadium project. The event was billed as the last opportunity for supporters and the general public to “farewell” the stadium before it is demolished. Both clubs, as well as Parramatta Stadium, provided family- friendly activities to entertain the public.

A marquee was set up by Infrastructure NSW, which displayed information about the Western Sydney Stadium project. It was manned by project staff who answered queries and handed out fact sheets and other collateral regarding the project. Members of the public were also able to register to receive project updates.

The following table provides a summary of consultation activities during this time.

Activity Details Pop up information »» Total of 286 people engaged about the project sessions »» Total of 1,320 project information postcards distributed »» Wednesday 27 July Parramatta Train Station 6.30am – 9am »» Saturday 30 July Stockland Baulkham Hills 10am – 1pm »» Wednesday 10 August Wentworthville Mall 10am -1pm »» Saturday 13 August Greystanes Shopping Centre 10am – 1pm

Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting 3 Activity Details Open Day »» Total of 728 people engaged about the project »» Saturday 6 August Parramatta Stadium 10am – 1pm »» Event was promoted via: >> Letter box drop >> Electronic Direct Mail via Parramatta Eels, Western Sydney Wanderers and Ticketmaster >> Advertisements in local newspapers >> Online via Parramatta Eels, Western Sydney Wanderers, Ticketmaster, Infrastructure NSW, the NSW Office of Sport, Parramatta Stadium and City of Parramatta Council websites >> Social media via Parramatta Eels, Western Sydney Wanderers and Parramatta Stadium channels >> Ministerial media release, 27 July 2016 Project 1800 phone line »» Dedicated project information line available on 1800 962 221 »» One call received during the exhibition period Project email address »» Dedicated project email address at [email protected] »» 27 emails received »» 104 people registered to receive project updates (including registrations at pop up information sessions and events) Letter box drop »» 18,300 flyers distributed to local businesses and residents on Saturday 30 July »» Appendix C contains a copy of the postcard and map of the distribution area Formal submissions »» 69 formal submissions received via the Department of Planning and Environment »» Note: The feedback from these submissions has not been included in this summary report as the Department is responsible for reviewing and reporting on the submissions. Project information – Project information and the Stage 1 EIS were available online via the following online websites: »» www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/projects-nsw/western-sydney-stadium.aspx General project information, frequently asked questions, community consultation details and project factsheets »» www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=7534 the Stage 1 EIS, Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements, planning process and formal submission online form Project information – Hard copies of the Stage 1 EIS were on display at the following locations: hard copy »» Department of Planning and Environment: Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney »» City of Parramatta Council: 126 Church Street, Parramatta »» Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre: 346A Church Street, Parramatta

4 Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting Summary of 03 feedback received

1,320 69 postcards distributed submissions received at events

1,014 104 community members people registered to engaged at events receive project updates

Key feedback During the consultation period the large majority of feedback received was positive.

Overwhelmingly people were looking forward to the improvements to the game day experience, that a new stadium would bring, including better food, Wi-Fi, more space for more fans to come to games, improved accessibility and safety as well as a better facility for teams to play at.

People also felt that the stadium would create positive benefits for the local area such as employment and economic growth as well as making the area more attractive.

Negative feedback received highlighted a variety of community concerns including feelings that the stadium needed to be bigger than a 30,000 seat capacity and concern that there is not enough parking and that traffic and parking need to be managed better at the stadium.

A number of people felt the upgrade was unnecessary and not worth the cost and people were also concerned about the relocation of Parramatta Pool as part of plans to upgrade the stadium.

The following Community Consultation Event Reports provide an outline of face-to-face feedback received at each consultation event. Feedback received via the 1800 phone line and project email address is also provided in the following sections of the report.

Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting 5 Community Consultation 04 Event Reports

The locations for the three pop up information sessions were determined using ticketing data from Parramatta Stadium for both Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers games. This data showed that the most common place of residence for match attendees were the suburbs of Baulkham Hills, Wentworthville and Greystanes.

Pop up information Pop up information session 1 session 2 Staff: Elton Consulting Staff: Elton Consulting Location: Parramatta Station ticketing area Location: Stockland Shopping Centre – Baulkham Hills Time: 6.30am – 9.00am Time: 9.30am – 1pm Date: 27 July 2016 Date: 30 July 2016

650 information postcards were handed out to 410 information postcards were handed out commuters as they arrived at the station during the morning peak period Spoke with 126 people: »» 107 expressed a positive view about the project Positive feedback included: »» 9 expressed a negative view about the project »» The Stadium is good for Western Sydney and the »» 10 offered either a neutral view or no view. teams »» Good for job growth and generating business in the Positive feedback included: Parramatta area »» The game day experience will be better »» Good that safe seating is being put in »» More fans can attend »» Recommendations for family rooms including an »» More Western Sydney Wanderers fans can attend area to breastfeed »» Increases the chances of rugby union tests coming »» Recommendations for a quiet area/facility for to Parramatta parents with young children »» Great that it will be Wi-Fi enabled »» Appreciative the pool is remaining open for the 2017 »» It will help enliven the area Summer »» More modern facilities. »» General excitement. Negative feedback: Negative feedback: »» The stadium needs to be bigger than 30,000 seat »» The stadium needs to be bigger than 30,000 seat capacity capacity »» This would create more litter and more opportunities »» There is currently too much construction in for hooligans Parramatta and this will only exacerbate the situation »» Not enough parking »» Not enough parking »» The removal of Parramatta Pool is not good »» Public transport from Campbelltown needs to be improved given the increase in future capacity »» Why not just upgrade the current stadium, it doesn’t need to be demolished. »» The removal of Parramatta Pool is not good.

6 Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting Open Day Negative feedback: »» Public transport to the stadium from the Hills district Staff: needs to improve »» Elton Consulting »» The current stadium could hold 30,000 if bigger »» INSW stands were built on the ends »» AECOM »» The new stadium should be bigger than 30,000 seat capacity to plan for growth in 10-20 years Location: Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta »» Parking and traffic management needs to be Time: 10am – 1pm monitored Date: 6 August 2016 »» There should be more parking »» The building of a new pool should have been Spoke with 728 people: planned and completed before the current pool is »» 508 expressed a positive view about the project demolished »» 21 expressed a negative view about the project »» It doesn’t make sense to remove the pool when it is »» 199 offered either a neutral view or no view used by the community daily, whereas the stadium is »» 81 people registered to receive project updates. only used on game days »» The area near O’Connell Street will just be sold to Positive feedback included: shops. »» The game day experience will be better Neutral feedback: »» A bigger stadium with more people will improve the atmosphere »» Can the old stands be used by other grounds, eg. . »» A bigger stadium means more fans can attend events »» Better access to the stadium is good news »» This is great news for local businesses »» It will mean more events for Parramatta »» A bigger stadium might mean that NRL semi-finals are played in Parramatta »» Better food is great »» Better wheelchair accessibility is good news. Could the wheelchair section please be undercover »» The planned area around the new stadium will make the area more attractive »» Better seating and access to the stadium will make it easier for everyone »» It’s good that public transport is being looked at as part of the stadium planning.

Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting 7 Pop up information Pop up information session 3 session 4 Staff: Elton Consulting Staff: Elton Consulting Location: Wentworthville Shopping Centre Location: Greystanes Shopping Centre Time: 11am – 2pm Time: 10am – 1pm Date: 10 August 2016 Date: 13 August 2016

70 information postcards were handed out 190 information postcards were handed out

Spoke with 50 people: Five people registered to receive project updates »» 20 expressed a positive view about the project Spoke with 70 people: »» 30 expressed a negative view about the project. »» 42 expressed a positive view about the project Positive feedback included: »» 28 expressed a negative view about the project. »» General support for the new stadium. Positive feedback included: Negative feedback: »» A bigger stadium with more people will improve the »» Waste of money and should be spent on a new atmosphere hospital »» A bigger stadium means more fans can attend events »» Like the existing stadium »» Better seating and access to the stadium will make it »» Parking is already bad – the extra capacity will easier for everyone increase these impacts »» It’s good that public transport is being looked at as »» Feedback won’t be considered anyway part of the stadium planning. »» Needs to be 50,000 seats Negative feedback: »» The start date keeps being pushed back »» Developers will look to source materials (i.e. steel) »» The relocation of the pool was a big concern from overseas, rather than locally. This will have an »» The construction time frame is too long. impact on local economy »» The new stadium should be bigger than 30,000 seat capacity to plan for growth in 10-20 years »» Parking and traffic management needs to be monitored »» There should be more parking »» The building of a new pool should have been planned and completed before the current pool is demolished »» It doesn’t make sense to remove the pool when it is used by the community daily, whereas the stadium is only used on game days.

Neutral feedback: »» Queries about how views from surrounding parkland will be affected »» Good design is very important. No concrete slabs.

8 Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting Additional Community Consultation Activities 05 Reports Project 1800 information Formal Submissions line and email address During the public exhibition, formal submissions were received by the Department of Planning and During the consultation period a dedicated project Environment. The feedback from these submissions 1800 phone line was offered to the community, has not been included in this outcomes report as the alongside a project email address, as a method of Department is responsible for reviewing and reporting providing feedback on the plans and to respond to any on the submissions, however a high level summary of community enquiries about the project. the submissions received has been included below. There was only one phone call and 25 emails received The Department received a total of 69 submissions during the consultation period. Sixteen of these emails between 21 July and 19 August, this was made up of: were requests to receive project updates. »» Seven organisation/government authority The following list provides an overview of comments submissions received on the project via the project email: »» 62 submissions from the general public »» Request for family facilities at the new stadium »» One submission was received outside of the including baby change facilities and areas for advertised consultation period. breastfeeding »» Suggestions that the stadium should be larger than the proposed 30,000 seat capacity »» Concern about the loss of heritage with the demolition of the old stadium »» Concern about the relocation of the Parramatta Pool.

Open Day held at Parramatta Stadium

Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting 9 Appendices A Information Boards / Project Fact Sheets B Project Information Postcard C Letterbox Distribution Map and Material

10 Western Sydney Stadium Elton Consulting