Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

NSW Government abandons plans for redevelopment of Sydney’s ANZ Stadium

NSW Government abandons plans for redevelopment of Sydney’s ANZ Stadium
June 1, 2020

The NSW Government has announced that it is scrapping the planned redevelopment of Sydney's ANZ Stadium, committing to use the $810 million of savings into fast-tracked infrastructure projects.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the refurbishment of the venue - Australia's second largest sports stadium - one of her key promises in last year's state election.

However, after considerable speculation that the revamp of the former Olympic Stadium was to be halted, Premier Berejiklian today advised that during the Coronavirus crisis, the project "no longer makes sense".

Instead, the advised that the funds would redirected towards job-creating infrastructure projects in a bid to boost the local economy which she hopes will create up to 20,000 jobs the state.

Explaining the change, Premier Berejiklian advised “yes, the ANZ stadium was a priority for us, but since the pandemic, the priorities have changed.

"We want to put every dollar we have into job creation and into job keeping."

The 20-year-old venue had been due to undergo redevelopment as part of a sporting infrastructure scheme that saw the building of the new Bankwest Stadium and the rebuilding of the Sydney Football Stadium.

The move has been criticised by the Western Sydney Chamber of Commerce, who said the region just lost thousands of job opportunities.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, David Borger advised “this was a project that was ready to start employing thousands of workers and materials to keep the economy moving during a downturn.

"Not doing ANZ stadium, means not spending any money in Western Sydney and it would've taken a couple of years to build to pull us out of this recession."

The decision could well impact the NRL which as a long-term deal to keep its Grand Final in Sydney until 2046.

Se to hold the showpiece event at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2020 and 2021 and at the new Sydney Football Stadium in 2022, it was then due to return to ANZ Stadium in 2023.

However, Nine and Foxtel, the NRL’s broadcast partners, are reporting that the NRL is seeking to have the funds not spent on the ANZ Stadium diverted into the redevelopment of suburban sports grounds that host Sydney’s NRL clubs.

The Sydney Morning Herald today reported that the NRL will meet with the NSW Government this week over Grand Final hosting arrangements over the coming years and is reportedly aiming to secure funding for “up to four” stadia being built with capacities of 15,000 to 20,000.

While the ANZ Stadium redevelopment is not going ahead, the NSW Government’s plans to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta are to go ahead head as planned.

Image: Sydney's ANZ Stadium (top) and the now abandoned concept for its redevelopment (below).

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 a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Read more from this author

Related Articles

29th May 2020 - NRL secures new broadcast partnerships with Nine and Foxtel

25th May 2020 - Stadiums prepare for NRL return

9th January 2020 - Global stars to feature in Football for Fires exhibition match at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium

6th January 2020 - TEG to stage benefit concert for bushfire relief at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium

25th September 2019 - Designs revealed for new 70,000 capacity ANZ Stadium

15th September 2019 - NSW Government announces design competition to transform surroundings of Sydney’s ANZ Stadium

25th June 2019 - NSW Government admits no timeline for ANZ Stadium redevelopment

12th June 2019 - Timeline revealed for ANZ Stadium redevelopment

30th May 2019 - ANZ Stadium reveals new reduced food and beverage prices

23rd March 2019 - New fans first initiatives for NRL fixtures at ANZ Stadium

22nd March 2019 - SCG Trust corrects Sydney Morning Herald claims of Allianz Stadium compliance works costs

6th March 2019 - NSW Opposition leader vows to sack SCG Trust board over Allianz Stadium rebuild

14th May 2020 - Builder warns of delivery delay with new Sydney Football Stadium

18th December 2019 - Sydney Football Stadium builders announced as costs blowout

29th November 2019 - Failure to secure builder set to delay construction of new Sydney Football Stadium

20th August 2017 - Broadcasters fake NRL live atmosphere with historic crowd footage

14th April 2016 - Suburban Sydney stadia to benefit under $40 million NRL centres of excellence plan

29th May 2020 - City of Parramatta urges NSW Government to deliver on relocating Powerhouse Museum

6th February 2019 - Opening of NSWRL Centre of Excellence hailed as a ‘game-changer’

11th February 2020 - NSW Government announces abolition of Sydney Olympic Park Authority

12th April 2016 - Sydney stadium redevelopment saga takes a new turn

15th July 2014 - NSW Government reaffirms plans to back major stadia

27th November 2012 - NSW Government to end financial backing for stadia in Sydney’s suburbs


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

The P.A. People

The P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

BODY BIKE APAC

BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

XBODY Australia Pty Ltd

PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge, business support…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

SportEng

ABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…

read more

Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business