Stakeholders reveal plans for new major venues across Australia

Media reports this week suggest that new major venues are set to be built in south-east Queensland, Canberra and western Sydney.

In Western Sydney, the Penrith Panthers have been reported as being set to benefit from the NSW Government’s decision to back a series of suburban stadium developments with its Panthers Stadium in line to be knocked down and rebuilt as early as the end of next year.

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, sources with knowledge of the business cases made for sites at Penrith, Kogarah, Brookvale and Liverpool revealed that a redevelopment of Panthers Stadium was awaiting final approval from the NSW Government for construction of a 25,000-30,000-seat venue.

Set to be completed as early as 2025, the business case of the new venue has been aided by the growth of the region, with the area’s population expected to increase by about 60,000 in the next 10 years.

In Queensland, the Ipswich in far western Brisbane is pushing to develop a 20,500-seat stadium as a potential home to the Brisbane Jets as the club seeks to become the NRL’s 17th team.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the plans could link Ipswich’s past as a rugby league stronghold with the future growth of the NRL, telling The Brisbane Times “our community is the historic and spiritual home of rugby league, and one of the nation’s leading producers of elite NRL talent

“It makes sense to invest in the social infrastructure that will support our growing population and provide a pathway for our region’s local playing talent.”

The $236 million North Ipswich Stadium has not been given final approval, and $2.5 million for a detailed business case is still being sought from the Queensland and Federal Governments.

However, Ipswich City Council has approved two concepts to update the existing North Ipswich Reserve, just over the David Trumpy Bridge in the middle of the city.

The Brisbane Jets’ bid to join the NRL was submitted to the Australian Rugby League Commission last week, along with competing bids from the Brisbane Firehawks and Redcliffe Dolphins.

The Dolphins have the 11,500-seat Moreton Daily Stadium, where a new grandstand has recently been added.

Each club hopes to become the NRL’s 17th team, and the first since the Gold Coast Titans joined in 2007.

The decision on the 17th team, which would join the league in 2023, is expected this month.

Ipswich City Council is currently evaluating a business case for both stadium options prior to making a formal submission for financial assistance.

In the ACT, the University of Canberra is reportedly set to unveil plans for a 10,000 seat indoor arena as part of sport strategy plan which could replace the currently closed AIS Arena.

The Canberra Times has reported that Paddy Nixon, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, has been in talks with the ACT and Federal Governments about supporting a new venue, dubbed the UC Arena, that would host WNBL Finals and Super Netball games.

With the University having sport as one of its core function, Nixon stated “there really needs to be a high-quality facility within the city and region that can attract tournaments, … indoor sports and (as) a place for artists to come and perform.”

At a community level, Moira Shire Council is hoping to commence construction of its Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium later this year after securing $7 million in low interest loan funding to deliver stage one of the indoor venue.

The $7 million is a part of the Victorian Government's 2020/21 Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme to provide low-interest, government-guaranteed loans of between $500,000 and $10 million to councils, clubs, associations, educational institutions, and facility managers to develop high-quality community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

Advising that the Council was still looking at further grant applications but was optimistic construction could start in the later stages of this year, Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica explained that “the facility will include two multi-use courts, four unisex accessible change rooms including accessible amenities, as well as multi-purpose rooms.

“An expansion area for an additional two courts is proposed as the town grows and there is a concept plan showing how an aquatic facility can be added to the stadium in the future.”

Although the funding has been approved it is yet to be endorsed by Council, although that is expected to occur at their next ordinary council meeting on 23rd June.

Images: Concepts for the North Ipswich Stadium (top) and Moira Shire Council's Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium (below).