AusLeisure

The Western Melbourne Group, owners of A-League club Western United, has today received planning permission for its new Wyndham City Stadium after Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved a key planning amendment.

The planning approval allows detailed design of the stadium and development to be finalised and construction timelines to be determined.

Set to be the first major sports stadium owned by a professional football club in Australia, the 15,000-seat venue will be the centrepiece of a broader development that links sports, commercial and residential precincts.

 Welcoming the approval, WMG Chairman, Jason Sourasis stated “today’s announcement is a huge milestone and is a significant step towards the vision for a world class sport, entertainment, business and living precinct within Melbourne’s West.

“The planning approval signals the official start to the project and means construction on the stadium can commence by mid-2021 and should be ready in time for the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

“We could not have achieved this milestone without the amazing support from Kate Roffey and her team at Wyndham City Council, as well as our state government representatives, in particular, Sarah Connolly."

A currently in its second season in the A-League, Western United splits its home games between GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Melbourne’s AAMI Park and Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

With the Wyndham City Stadium to be Western United’s permanent home, WMG have previously described the development as a “game-changer” not just for football, but for Australian sport as a whole.

The development, being undertaken by WMG and Wyndham City Council, will turn approximately 70 hectares of land in Tarneit into a mixed-use precinct comprising of sport, entertainment, commercial, residential and community uses.

Speaking today, Wyndham City Mayor, Adele Hegedich, said the stadium and training facility will provide widespread infrastructure, economic and community benefits to Wyndham and beyond, noting “this is an exciting project for Wyndham. The planning approval means we can now get on with the job and start preparing to construct the main stadium and elite sports training facility.

“Large projects such as this are significant for a city like Wyndham. As we continue our COVID recovery, we’re working hard to ensure our local economy bounces back and this project will provide jobs and create a fantastic new community asset.”

Australian Professional Leagues (APL) Commissioner, Greg O’Rourke, also welcomed the news of planning approval.

O’Rourke added “the construction of a purpose-built stadium was a key part of Western United’s long-term vision for the football club, and today’s announcement marks an important milestone in realising that vision.

“Stadiums play a big part in creating the unique atmosphere that the Australian Professional Leagues are known for, and we are all looking forward to seeing this project progress.”

Images: Concepts for the planned Wyndham City Stadium. Credit: Western United.

Related Articles

20th January 2021 - A-League clubs collaborate with Epic Games’ Fortnite

19th January 2021 - Ambitious state league football clubs release plans for a National Second Division

18th January 2021 - Comment invited on plans for final stage upgrades to Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium

8th January 2021 - Football Australia looks to open domestic transfer market

5th January 2021 - Consortium of A-League clubs to take over Newcastle Jets

31st December 2020 - A-League completes separation from Football Australia

22nd December 2020 - Latest renderings released of Populous designed Hong Kong Kai Tak Sports Park

21st December 2020 - New design to fix leaking roof at Werribee’s Eagle Stadium

17th December 2020 - A-League’s Melbourne City relocation to incorporate Team 11 bid assets

28th November 2020 - Western United use ‘value capture’ model to drive building of Wyndham Stadium

26th November 2020 - FFA announces new Football Australia branding

3rd November 2020 - Populous designs new Coffs Harbour community sports complex

8th October 2020 - FFA releases final ‘XI Principles’ document to guide Australian football’s transformation

18th September 2020 - Wyndham City Council announces plans for new elite training and community sports facility

18th February 2020 - Western United reaches 5,000 members milestone in first A-League season

14th August 2019 - Western United FC launches inaugural membership program

22nd July 2019 - A-League’s new Western United FC welcomes Probuild as inaugural major sponsor

10th June 2018 - Plans for ‘boutique’ stadiums emerge for Canberra and the Gold Coast

2nd June 2018 - Western Melbourne A-League bid team reveals boutique stadium plans

7th July 2017 - Populous explains how technology will transform future stadium experiences

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.