Liberals promise new stadium in Canberra

Image: Canberra Liberals

The city of Canberra could be in line for a new 30,000 seat stadium at Acton Waterfront if the Liberals are elected in next month’s Australian Capital Territory elections.

ABC News said replacing the aging Canberra Stadium in Bruce has long been an issue in the nation’s capital.

The current government has previously said constructing a city stadium is not economically viable, estimating it would cost close to A$3 billion.

However, 0pposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said her party could deliver it for around $700-800 million. She said her party would undertake the design and preparation work immediately, with a plan to commence construction in its first term of government.

She said, “A new stadium located in the city will signal to the rest of Australia and the world that Canberra is open for business, and open to host world-class events.

“It will provide our local elite sporting teams such as the Raiders, Brumbies and Canberra United with a modern facility and will be a venue that attracts international sporting events, state of origin and world-class music and entertainment.

“It’s about making sure that we enhance the city vibrancy and game-day experience, as well as delivering the broader boost that is really required to the city centre. It means that we’ll be able to keep Canberra dollars in Canberra.”

ABC further stated that Ms Lee pointed out the chosen site at Acton Waterfront would not require other buildings to be knocked down or excessive associated works, as those put forward by the government at other sites across Canberra would.

In a statement, an ACT Labor spokesperson said a stadium development was prohibited in the West Basin under the National Capital Plan.

They said, “It’s hard to take the Canberra Liberal’s stadium photoshop seriously. You can’t just plonk a stadium anywhere you think it might fit.

“The West Basin precinct is a Designated Area, as defined in the National Capital Plan, with strict land uses, and considerable planning controls and clear building height limits.

“A stadium is not permitted on the land. West Basin is not an appropriate location for a structure of that size.”

The ACT government is yet to make a final decision on its plan for the future of the existing Canberra Stadium, but its favoured option is building a new stadium in the Australian Institute of Sport Bruce precinct on a different site to the current structure.

The government estimates that would cost between $1.34 billion and $1.87 billion.

Speaking at a press conference, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it made sense for a new stadium to be built at the AIS, where the federal government is planning major upgrades.

He said, “We have a viable and deliverable project in a precinct that is zoned for a stadium, that already has a sports arena and will have $250 million of enhancement paid for by the federal government.

“That versus a photoshop of a stadium in a precinct that it’s not into allowed to be built in, is the choice before voters at this election.”

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