SHOOTING FROM THE HIP

SIMON Boughey’s letter (July 19) under the heading “Melbourne merger over relocation,” reminded me that it was either he or his brother who first suggested Macquarie Point as a good place to build a multipurpose stadium for AFL football and whatever else.

That was so long ago it is a distant memory, but I don’t think it included a retractable roof.

That was Eddie McGuire’s edict of 2021. But here we are again, all these years after the Boughey Bros’ suggestion, still mulling over what might be possible at this prime location. I have no idea whether Macquarie would be a good fit for a new stadium. The AFL must think it is, as they have suggested it as an alternative to the government’s vision for the Regatta Grounds.

I am more impressed by the basic common sense in the words of the CEO of the Property Council, Rebecca Ellston. While supporting the concept of a new stadium (Mercury, June 22), she said “that visionary projects like this still need to be sensibly worked through, and that site selection is carefully considered”. Has that happened?

From what we know I have the impression the government, the AFL and the media have been shooting from the hip on this matter. The AFL has never explained why Blundstone Arena is all of a sudden not acceptable for AFL football, and as a prerequisite to acceptance into the competition, why the government has to commit to building a stadium we don’t know where, at what cost, how it will be funded, and seemingly without a business plan.

The government should not allow itself to be coerced or blackmailed into providing that commitment, unless it has the answers to those questions. Peter Williams

Sandy Bay