Venues NSW and the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust (SCGT) are set to merge, creating a single organisation for NSW sporting and entertainment venues.
Announced by the Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee, the new entity is designed to attract blockbuster events and drive economic activity across the State.
“This merger is about placing NSW in the best possible position to attract the most exciting and sought after events so the entire State can benefit from the economic stimulation,” Mr Lee said.
“We have made the investment in stadiums and infrastructure which are the envy of the world and now it’s time to ensure we get maximum returns,” he said.
“NSW is often competing nationally and internationally to attract major sporting events, concerts and other outdoor activities to our venues.”
Mr Lee said a strong, co-ordinated and streamlined approach to attracting major events would put NSW in the best position to win them and reap the economic benefits.
“An Interim Advisory Board will be established to oversee the development of the operating model for the new entity, and will include long standing board members of the SCGT and Venues NSW,” he said.
He said Tony Shepherd would be the Chair and Rod McGeoch the Deputy Chair of the new entity.
Mr Lee said Venues NSW and SCGT contracts, agreements and membership entitlements with sporting codes, clubs, partners and members would continue to be honoured and preserved by the merged entity.
