Cricket Australia brands ageing stands at the SCG a 'threat' in bombshell report as famous stadium 'struggles to meet health and safety standards'

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Sydney's ageing sports infrastructure has been labelled a 'threat' in a shocking Cricket Australia report.

The report summarised the international cricket season and highlighted the need for upgrades to the Sydney Cricket Ground and other sports venues, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Major concerns include insufficient seating, limited amenities for food and beverages, inadequate toilets, and narrow, crowded walkways. 

Of even greater concern is the fact that the stands do not comply with modern health and safety standards. 

The revelation comes at a time when the new NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out significant investment in sports infrastructure due to the state's mounting debt.

The seating and stands at the SCG are not just outdated, according to a new report from Cricket Australia, which has deemed them a threat

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has ruled out significant expenditure on sporting venues

The report stated that 'ageing infrastructure and facilities' were a major concern for the match-day experience. 

This is not the first time Sydney's sports infrastructure has been brought into question, with several major stadiums in need of upgrades. 

However, the new Premier has prioritised education and health infrastructure over sporting facilities due to the state's current financial situation.

'When you've got debt in NSW of $200billion, the largest one Government has ever given to an incoming Government in the state's entire history, we have to make decisions and we have to make priorities,' he said.

'We made it clear during the election campaign that our priority would be NSW schools and hospitals.

The NSW budget has allocated $112.7billion to infrastructure over the next four years, with $76.7billion going towards transport, $11.2 billion to health, and $9.2 billion to education. 

In contrast, only $2billion has been invested in sporting infrastructure over the past 15 years. 

Fans dressed as iconic Aussie cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud enjoy a day out at the SCG - where stands like the Bill O'Reilly are showing their age  

Allianz Stadium at Moore Park has been significantly upgraded while the neighbouring SCG (pictured) has been left behind

This lack of funding has led to calls for more money to be directed towards sports venues in Sydney.

In the past, campaigns opposing investment in sports infrastructure have been successful, with the hashtag '#stadiumsplurge' used during Michael Daley's failed election campaign. 

Daley used the construction site for the rebuilding of Allianz Stadium as a backdrop to argue that money should be spent on health and education instead of sports facilities.

Meanwhile, other cities in Australia are investing heavily in their sports infrastructure. Brisbane has committed $7 billion including funds to rebuild the Gabba ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. 

Adelaide Oval's redevelopment has transformed not just the sports precinct but the entire city centre, and Perth's Optus Stadium has revitalised the area around the old WACA Ground.