A-League's Western United gets planning approval for new Wyndham City Stadium

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.