NSW Government exhibits plans for more concerts at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium

The NSW Government has today advised that it has put its planning modification to allow an increase in the number of major concerts at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on public exhibition.

Aiming to allow up to 20 concerts to be held each year at the new $874 million venue and the adjacent Sydney Cricket Ground, the NSW Government is actively promoting the change, with NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper saying that “the cap must be lifted so more people can make use of the best new entertainment venue in Australia”.

However, the NSW Government’s narrative ignores the larger Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park already hosting mayor music acts, a reality that compliant Sydney media outlets have also overlooked.

The planning amendment to Allianz Stadium’s State Significant Development Application (SSDA) goes on public exhibition on Saturday 12th August with people invited to have their say.

This follows extensive public consultation led by Venues NSW, which reached 35,000 local residents and businesses, through email, phone, letter drops, community engagements and public stalls.

A statement released today by Minister Kamper and NSW Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham advises “concerts at Allianz Stadium are estimated to be worth $7 million per night to the NSW economy and create some 1500 direct and indirect jobs. This is in addition to attracting attendees from all over Sydney, NSW and Australia.

“Concertgoers are also the biggest users of the public transport network, which is included with any ticketed event at Allianz Stadium and the SCG. In January, more than 70% of attendees at Elton John’s concerts travelled to and from Allianz Stadium on the public transport network.

“The SSDA includes a concert cap that was first created in the mid-1990s that today restricts the SCG and Allianz Stadium to a maximum of six concerts per year, with a five-year rolling average of four concerts a year.”

Minister Kamper went on to say “now is the time to continue the momentum by removing this concert cap and working with all the major concert promoters to bring the biggest and best music artists and shows to Sydney.”

Alluding to the adjacent Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, Minister Kamper added “we need to put the entertainment back into the entertainment precinct.”

As part of a tour later this year, Sir Paul McCartney will play two shows at Allianz Stadium in October.

Tony Shepherd, who stepped down as Chair of Venues NSW in February this year, took on the role of Chairman of Carsingha Investments, the consortium that controls Sydney’s Moore Park Entertainment Quarter in May.

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Image: Elton John performs at the Allianz Stadium in January this year. Credit: Venues NSW.