New South Australian Premier announces scrapping of Adelaide Arena project

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.