Sydney’s stadiums set for massive $1 billion revamp

The biggest overhaul of Sydney’s sports stadiums is set to begin under a plan worth more than $1 billion announced by the Premier Mike Baird on September 3, 2015, with priority being on a new 30,000-seat stadium in Parramatta, according to reports in the Australian media.

A world-class football stadium will also be built at Moore Park, while Sydney’s former Olympics Stadium could be fully roofed and transformed into a permanent rectangular arena. A 12,000-seat indoor stadium would also be built near the city for about $200 million.

The government initially intended to invest just $600 million but Baird believes at least $1.5 billion will be needed to ensure Sydney is capable of competing with Melbourne and other cities for major events: “We want to be the best city in the world and, as part of that, you need sports facilities, you need cultural facilities.”

The first stadium to be built will be home for the Western Sydney Wanderers and Parramatta Eels. The existing Pirtek Stadium will be demolished, with the new $300 million venue expected to open by early 2019.

“A global city like Sydney needs world class sporting venues and this investment will ensure fans and sporting teams have the facilities they deserve,” Baird said. “Our first priority is building a new 30,000 seat stadium at Parramatta on the site of the existing facility, with work to begin as soon as possible and construction expected to be completed by 2019.

“This huge investment in our stadia will boost our capacity to attract big ticket events to NSW, as well as create and support thousands of jobs.”

A new hi-tech rectangular stadium of up to 55,000 seats at Moore Park will be the second stadium built. It will be built on the site of the antiquated Allianz Stadium – home to the Waratahs and Sydney Roosters – but building work is not expected to begin until the Parramatta venue is open. Baird also said there would be a new indoor arena close to the CBD and a new outer western Sydney sporting venue.

The Cabinet meeting will be told at least $350 million should be invested at Sydney Olympic Park’s ANZ Stadium, the city’s biggest venue with 83,500 seats. Baird is determined to ensure the former Olympics site remains Sydney’s major events sports arena, though work is not likely to begin for about seven years.

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