Newly elected South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced that his administration will scrap the previous the South Australian Government’s proposed new 15,000 capacity indoor sport and entertainment arena planned for a site on the banks of Adelaide’s Torrens River.
Having pledged to scrap the $662 million project during South Australia’s recent election, diverting the funds to South Australia’s health system, yesterday’s announcement cam as little surprise.
In the first cabinet decision of Premier Malinauskas’ Government, he announced that the project will be “terminated” saying that with health and education at the top of the new state government’s agenda, his administration had more urgent priorities.
Premier Malinauskas explained “we have a very big policy agenda when it comes to health.”
$78.9 million of the projected venue project’s funds will be allocated to health projects including 300 extra hospital beds, 10 major hospital upgrades and five new ambulance stations.
The proposed new arena had been an early election promise by outgoing South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, with the venue to replace the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and be connected via a tunnel to the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Premier Malinauskas has not yet made any announcement on the redbuilding of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre - another election pledge.
Image shows the concept for the now abandoned Adelaide Arena project.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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