Upgrade for ACT's Manuka Oval

In the wake of Australia's unsuccessful FIFA World Cup bid, plans for a proposed $270 million rectangular stadium in Canberra have been shelved.

The new 40,000-seat arena, that would have been funded by the the Federal and ACT Governments, would have been sited alongside the existing Canberra Stadium.

However, without Federal government assistance, ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr believes a new stadium would be financially unfeasible, stating "it's clearly a disappointing result for Australia and a disappointing result for football fans."

Now, rugby league's Canberra Raiders and Super-rugby's ACT Brumbies will continue to play in a stadium that Minister Barr admits is due for a "longer-term rebuild." However, Minister Barr believes that the ACT Government's immediate focus will be on improving Manuka Oval ahead of the Greater Western Sydney Giants entering the AFL in 2012.

The Giants and the ACT Government have agreed on a $26 million dollar, 10-year deal which will see 30 premiership fixtures played in Canberra.

As Minister Barr reflects, "what's done is done and we now need to focus on our infrastructure renewal challenges around Canberra's two main venues.

"What that means now, is that all roads lead to Manuka, in terms of having the first call on government budget funding in terms of upgrades.

"We'll need to look over the next 10-15 years at a major upgrade of Canberra Stadium as well, but in the short term the priority is Manuka."