Tigers threaten to quit Punt Road unless council allows stand demolitionCara Waters
The Age
May 2, 2022 — 3.49pmKEY POINTS
* Richmond Football Club wants to demolish the Jack Dyer stand at Punt Road Oval built in 1914.
* The Tigers want to redevelop the oval and double its capacity from 4,000 to 8,000 spectators giving the Tigers’ home ground the same dimensions as the MCG.
The Richmond Tigers have threatened to leave Punt Road Oval unless the club’s plans to demolish the historic Jack Dyer Stand and redevelop the ground get council approval.
The planned $65 million redevelopment of the oval would double its capacity from 4000 to 8000 spectators and give the AFL club’s home ground the same dimensions as the MCG.
Plans for the demolition of the 107-year-old stand and its replacement with a new one, which will retain the Jack Dyer name but have a four-level underground car park, go before the City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne Committee on Tuesday night.
Heritage groups are opposed to the demolition of the stand which was built in 1915 and renamed in 1998 after the Richmond legend known as Captain Blood.
The council will also consider alternative proposals which include refurbishing the stand, relocating it or raising it on a podium.
But the club maintains demolition is the only option and says it would leave if the planned development was not approved. Any refurbishment of the Jack Dyer Stand was cost prohibitive, the club maintains, and would not overcome its “limited function” with only 20 people able to sit in the stand at the moment.
“Richmond Football Club argue that their continued occupation of Punt Road Oval as their club headquarters is contingent on the new scheme being developed to provide the planned facilities,” the club’s submissions to the City of Melbourne state.
Richmond has pledges of $30 million from the state and federal governments for the planned redevelopment which will include a revamp of facilities for women’s football, for the club’s Indigenous Transition School and Korin Gamadji Institute (Indigenous learning centre) and for the Bachar Houli Foundation.
Richmond has used Punt Road Oval as its training and administrative headquarters since the club was founded in 1885 and the club says staying at Punt Road Oval base is of far greater historical significance than the removal of the stand.
The heritage adviser to the City of Melbourne has advised the council the demolition of the stand would be a “significant heritage loss” and the National Trust has called for it to be retained in any redevelopment of the oval.
National Trust chief executive Simon Ambrose said the trust supported the continuation of the site’s historic use, but this should not come at the expense of the Jack Dyer Stand.
“The Jack Dyer Stand embodies the enduring connection of the Richmond Cricket Club and Richmond Football Club with the Punt Road Oval and has architectural significance as an example of an early 20th century grandstand at a major sporting venue,” he said.
Deputy lord mayor Nicholas Reece said if the council approved the stand’s demolition, the final decision would sit with Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
“Punt Road Oval and Yarra Park hold a significant place in Melbourne’s history – as the birthplace of the AFL and as a traditional meeting place for local Aboriginal groups,” he said. “It is important any proposal to redevelop the site is sensitive to its history.”
Punt Road Oval was where the meeting was held before the rules were drawn up for the first organised game of Australian Rules football played between Melbourne Grammar School Football Club and Scotch College at Yarra Park on July 31, 1858.
Yarra Park is also an important traditional meeting place for local Aboriginal groups and was the site of major corroborees and gatherings.
“We expect a huge degree of public interest in this application, and rightly so,” Reece said.
“The proposed development will be very carefully considered by councillors.”
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale declined to comment while the approval was before council.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tigers-vow-to-quit-punt-road-unless-council-allows-stand-demolition-20220502-p5ahor.html
