20,000 capacity indoor arena part of NSW Government tender to revitalise Sydney's Entertainment Quarter

The NSW Government is to hold an open tender process for the long-term lease at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney's Moore Park, with the aim to completely overhaul the 11-hectare site with a new indoor space for live performances and events with a capacity for 20,000 people.

Proposals are being sought to revive the former Sydney Showgrounds site with, as the NSW Government advise in a statement, "more visitors, more live performances ... and more events".

The NSW Government statement advises that it is “seeking proposals that would deliver additional creative spaces such as a new indoor space that could host substantial audiences of up to 15,000 - 20,000 people, for live performances and public events.

“The EQ (Entertainment Quarter) is one of Sydney’s key entertainment and sports precincts, and a hub for creative industries, but it is currently underutilised considering its prime location between Centennial Park, the SCG and Allianz Stadium and its proximity to the CBD via light rail.

“The NSW Government is determined to ensure EQ’s history as the venue for some of Sydney’s biggest events, including the start of World Series cricket and the old Royal Easter Show, is honoured in transformation to a world-class entertainment precinct that Sydney can be proud of.”

The current lease over the site has a maximum lease term expiring in 2046 and while no decision has been made in relation to the existing lease, the open tender process intends to allow parties to put forward proposals to redevelop the precinct.

The open tender process will commence in the near-term and will look beyond the next decade to a proposal that supports long-term investment, with the tender process to run through next year.

It will seek bids that deliver on key precinct and infrastructure upgrades and support increased use of the precinct while supporting better integration with the broader sports and entertainment precinct and parklands while retaining the site as a public space.

The announcement builds on work already undertaken by the NSW Government with the announcement of Vibrancy Reforms set to be debated in Parliament this week, that are aimed at bringing vibrancy back to the state’s night time economy.

Commenting on the potential new arena, NSW Premier, Chris Minns advised “we desperately need a new indoor arena.

"There's literally hundreds of acts around the world that want to come and tour Australia and Sydney in particular

“The new EQ entertainment precinct would provide another world-class venue for great home grown artists and international acts to perform at, like Cold Chisel and Dua Lipa who Sydney will be hosting over the next six months.”

NSW Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham added “the Entertainment Quarter’s potential currently outweighs its offerings. In short, we want more entertainment in this precinct, more people visiting and much more activation of what has always been a special place in Sydney right back to the days of the Showgrounds and the heyday of the Hordern Pavilion.

“The creation of a live performance area that can host 15,000 - 20,000 people is central to this vision, particularly as the (NSW) Government pursues its agenda to grow live music back from the brink.”

Images: The Entertainment Quarter in Sydney's Moore Park hosting the Sydney Family Show (top, credit: Shutterstock) and the precinct hosting Cirque du Soleil (below).