NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres today announced the biggest investment in sport and major event infrastructure in NSW since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with a new 30,000 seat stadium at Parramatta the first project to be delivered as part of the package.
More than $1 billion will be invested in the stadia network over the next decade. $600 million has been set aside in Rebuilding NSW and the NSW Government will provide a further allocation of funding to complete the projects.
“A global city like Sydney needs world class sporting venues and this investment will ensure fans and sporting teams have the facilities they deserve,” Mr 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.”
The investment in the state’s major stadia network includes:
• A new rectangular stadium at Parramatta with 30,000 seats;
• A new rectangular stadium at Moore Park with 50,000 to 55,000 seats;
• The redevelopment of Stadium Australia, which may include a retractable roof;
• A new indoor arena near the CBD;
• A new outer western Sydney sporting venue; and
• The completion of the SCG upgrade.
Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver heralded today’s announcement as a win for Rugby fans.
“Our teams regularly compete on the world stage in some of the world’s best stadiums and we know that in order to attract fans to our games, new and old, we need our stadiums to be world‐class.
“ARU has been involved in regular dialogue with the NSW Government to secure better facilities for our fans and we commend the leadership and vision of Premier Baird and Minister Ayres in delivering this outcome.
“Sydney is one of the world’s premier cities and deserves to have world-class stadia which reflects this standing in order to attract the biggest sports and entertainment events.
“We will have brand new world-class rectangular stadiums at Moore Park and Parramatta, purpose-built for Rugby, as well an upgrade to Stadium Australia which will ensure that our fans get the best possible experience at the Rugby,” he said.
“Beyond that, this package will deliver tremendous benefit for the NSW economy with the additional sport and major events the new stadia will attract.”
