Minister Barr: Delivering the next generation of infrastructure for Canberra

Written by ACT Government

Released 29/06/2023 - Joint media release

Canberra will take a huge leap forward in our arts, sports and entertainment infrastructure over the coming decade.

Putting Canberra back on tour will be the construction of a new, indoor live music concert and exhibition venue. The venue, proposed to hold at least 7,500 people, will be a dedicated large scale venue able to attract more touring acts, performers, exhibitions and events. The Government is examining options to co-locate new convention facilities with the new entertainment pavilion. Combined with the redevelopment of the Canberra Theatre precinct – the plan outlines a historic reshaping of Canberra’s city centre, creating a modern entertainment hub for Canberra.

As outlined in the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Infrastructure Plan Update released today, the Government has also set out a pathway for a new, rectangular stadium in the Territory. The Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) on the redevelopment or replacement of Canberra Stadium within the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) precinct. The MOU is an important first step in the plan to build a modern 30,000 seat stadium, and will allow the Territory Government and ASC to engage in discussions regarding projects to enhance the AIS precinct.

A study will soon be conducted to inform the way forward for the stadium. Options that will be considered as part of the study will be:

a new stadium on a different site within the AIS precinct that would enable the current stadium to operate while the new stadium is being built
demolition of the existing stadium and the building of a new stadium on the existing site
staged, significant upgrades to the existing stadium

Timeframes for delivery of stadium improvements will depend on the option chosen above. A new stadium on a different site may take longer due to the likely need to vary the National Capital Plan.

Following the stadium study, and the completion of further precinct planning work, the Territory Government will seek to partner with the Australian Government in the delivery phase.

Another key project within the Update is the redevelopment of EPIC, which includes refurbishing Fitzroy Pavilion to enable it to host large scale community and multicultural events. Design is now underway, with construction expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months.

The Government will also continue to invest in community sport infrastructure, and is working with Basketball ACT to support the expansion of, and upgrades to, the Belconnen Basketball Stadium to help meet growing participation rates.

A range of other infrastructure priorities are outlined in the Update.

To view the entertainment, arts and sports sector update, visit www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:

Canberra has been missing out on many major touring artists because we lack an iconic live music venue such as the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney and Palais Theatre in Melbourne.

It’s time for our city to have its own iconic live music venue in the city centre, and the Government will start the detail planning and design for the project.

The project is one of many in the Government’s plans to realise our ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s emerging cultural, arts and entertainment hub. This includes plans for rectangular stadium renewal in a revitalised AIS precinct and improvements at Manuka Oval.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry:

The Entertainment, Arts and Sports Infrastructure Plan Update delivers better places and spaces for elite and community sport.

I’m excited to work with Basketball ACT on improving basketball facilities to help meet the increase in participation the sport is experiencing.

In addition to the sporting infrastructure outlined in this Update, the ACT Government has also started working with local clubs and peak sporting bodies to identify potential sport and recreation infrastructure projects across Canberra.

This will contribute to a comprehensive plan that strengthens and develops sport and active recreation in the ACT over the next ten years.

Quotes attributable to Tara Cheyne, Minister for the Arts

This Infrastructure Plan update is another demonstration of the government's ambition for Canberra to be Australia’s arts capital.

Prioritising the entertainment pavilion will be great for audiences, artists and arts workers. It will continue our development as a vibrant global city and enhance the night-time experience. This is in addition to ongoing support for infrastructure development through the Kingston Arts Precinct, upgrades to Gorman House Arts Centre and Tuggeranong Arts Centre as well as design development and consultation for the Canberra Theatre Centre redevelopment.

Quotes attributable to Australian Sports Commission CEO, Kieren Perkins:

This is an important step and aligns with the discussions the ASC is having with the Australian Government regarding the revitalisation of the high performance sport facilities at the AIS precinct.

The AIS has a deep-seated value to the Canberra community, and we look forward to engaging in discussions with the ACT Government to ensure it is a vibrant precinct available for sport, entertainment, and community use.

AIS MOU Signing:

Chief Minister Andrew Barr signing MOU.