The Allianz Stadium development is officially going ahead, with the NSW government officially awarding a contract for the project on Friday.
There had been conjecture over the fate of the development in recent weeks with the NSW Labor party suggesting it would pull the funding for the stadium.
With a state election in March, some two years before the expected completion of construction, that threat made the project a difficult one for developers with no guaranteed funding.
However, the Department of Planning and Environment have ticked off the project and on Friday confirmed a start date of January 2019.
NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said the looming election wasn't going to affect their decision making.
"We are delivering world-class stadiums for the people of NSW," he said.
"We are not going to stop and slow down building critical infrastructure because there's an election around the corner."
Planning Approved.
— Stuart Ayres (@stuartayresmp) December 7, 2018
Construction Contract Awarded.
Let’s get the new Sydney Football Stadium done. pic.twitter.com/BBPjv4vPxp
In the wake of that move, NSW opposition leader Michael Daley said should Labor be elected a loan would instead be negotiated with the SCG trust, rather than the full bill being on the taxpayers.
"I will not be bullied or intimidated into a bad decision," Mr Daley told reporters.
"You will not pay a single cent for the redevelopment of the stadium."
Construction is expected to be completed in 2022, with the Waratahs to return their home matches to the ground and the Wallabies also using the ground annually.
The redeveloped ground could also play a key role in Australia's bid for the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle welcomed the decision to break ground on the development.
“Rugby Australia welcomes today’s announcement that works for the new Allianz Stadium will proceed," she said in a statement..
“Rugby Australia has in place significant content deals with the NSW Government which are predicated on its stadiums plan being delivered.
“We have continuously stressed the need for world-class stadiums in Sydney to attract the biggest events, such as the Rugby World Cup. These events not only position Sydney as a truly global city but deliver significant economic impact to the state."
