By: Mark Parton MLA
The Canberra Liberals have backed a city stadium, welcomed the Property Council’s support, and said the ACT Labor Government will have to be dragged to the table.
The Property Council this morning welcomed Canberra Airport’s vision, with ACT Executive Director Ms Ashlee Berry saying Canberra had outgrown its facilities and deserved a venue worthy of the national capital.
“The Property Council is right. In a perfect world, the best place for a new stadium is in the city,” Canberra Liberals Leader, Mark Parton said.
“This is not an argument about cost because the spend required for a meaningful refurbishment of GIO Stadium is similar to the spend to deliver a city stadium.”
“There is a will from the Catholic Church, the airport group and the Property Council. I would hope we can drag the government kicking and screaming to that position. The government has dropped the ball on what should have been a major city-building project.”
The Canberra Liberals took a stadium-by-the-lake policy to the 2024 election, and have met the airport group, the Catholic Church, the Raiders, Watpac, Colliers, architects and potential investors.
“Like Stephen Byron and Canberra Airport, we fully understand the benefits of a stadium in the city,” Mr Parton said.
“Instead of jetting off to Paris or Berlin, Labor’s Andrew Barr should be moving heaven and earth to deliver infrastructure that draws people here from the region and around Australia.”
Ms Berry said a world-class stadium would bring more people into the CBD and support hotels, restaurants, bars and retailers. Mr Parton said a meaningful refurbishment of GIO Stadium would cost about the same as a new city stadium.
Christchurch’s Te Kaha was delivered for about $650 million New Zealand dollars, and had to be earthquake-proof, which Canberra would not.
“Labor’s budget mismanagement is why the project has stalled. Debt and interest are swallowing the capacity to build what Canberrans have been promised, so business is carrying a project the government should have led,” said Mr Parton.
“Labor has had years to do it. We are not waiting for them to catch up.”