After being deemed as the “least-known capital in the developed world” in 2022, Canberra is about to get a makeover to compete with the likes of Paris and London. In the notorious survey, the Australian capital stayed in the dust of cities such as Brasilia and Ankara. The locals saw it as a warning sign it was time to make changes. The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories joined forces to finally put Canberra on the map.

The Stadium Project

The long process included nine public hearings, 48 submissions and resulted in 21 recommendations the local government has yet to consider. The one that received the most hype was building the new stadium, something that has been flagged as a priority since 2009, yet is still in blueprints. The stadium project has been a hot topic for as long as Canberrans can remember. And it will probably remain that way for years to come.

Where Should the New Canberra Stadium Be?

Senator David Pocock critically observed the suggestions regarding the new stadium. In their opinion, none of them is particularly useful, as they are too broad and influenced by the stakeholders. As the Committee advocates for a new stadium in Bruce, the suburbs of Canberra, Senator David Pocock argues it should be built near the new convention centre in Civic.

Since 2009, the location of the new stadium has been discussed more than once. How controversial this topic is proves the fact that there have been seven different studies on its potential location. Throughout the years City, Bruce (and its 11 surrounding locations), Exhibition Park, and Phillip have all been mentioned.

© Elver | The current stadium in Canberra

At the same time, some experts claim that the question of the new stadium is nothing but a political spin. They believe that the concrete is still solid and that with a couple of minor adjustments, such as adding a roof, the capital can get a revamped stadium for a fraction of the price.

New Canberra Stadium in Numbers

The new Canberra stadium is planned to have 30,000 seats and is, by many, a once in 50-year infrastructure project. The government will fund only $760,000, as it is believed the remaining $500 million can be covered by different Commonwealth infrastructure funds. According to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, nothing has been decided yet, and there are three viable options still in the talks:

1. A new build in a whole new location, so the old stadium can keep on hosting games until the new one is completed.
2. Demolition of the old and building the new stadium in its place.
3. Upgrades to the existing stadium.

With the lack of a unified goal, strategy and vision, it wouldn’t be surprising if 15 years more pass by before anything significant happens.

How Does the Capital Stadium Stand Against Others?

The discussion about the Canberra stadium revealed many issues the capital is struggling with. Another concern that appeared last year was moving the Australian Institute for Sport to Brisbane, in the light of the 2032 Olympics. Although the AIS stayed put, it became obvious Canberra Stadium has no power to compete not only with Sydney and Melbourne but also with other cities.

Can the New Canberra Stadium Be a Tourist Hotspot?

Despite low unemployment rates and diversity of industries, the tourism in the Canberra area is not as impressive as it could be, especially compared to capitals of similar size such as Bratislava and Lisbon. Those who still believe Canberra stadium might happen, see it as a massive opportunity to brand the city's sights, sports, and lifestyle.

As for now, the numbers are not working in their favour. With all the controversies and 15-year-long waiting, it is no wonder no circus comes to Canberra. NRL, Rugby Australia and Football Australia all pointed out the lack of proper sports infrastructure in the city. For that reason, Canberra rarely, if ever, hosts international matches.

Out of 37 high-profile music acts, only four added Canberra to their tour legs. Reasonably so, Melbourne and Sydney lead with 36 each, but even Wollongong, Fremantle, and Newcastle hosted more events than the capital.

© Elver | The current stadium in Canberra

The New and Old Stadium as Polarizing Forces

The lack of leisure sites, such as casinos, makes people stay where they are and play at low deposit casinos at Gamblenator. The attendance numbers have never been lower, which leads many to wonder whether the new stadium is a worthy investment. In 2022, the city issued a report claiming only 43% of the capacity was used.

Right now, it is a chicken or egg kind of situation. Is attendance low because the stadium is old, or because Canberrans are not interested in events? Proponents of a new stadium claim that the current one is in such bad shape it is impossible to upgrade. Those who oppose, argue fans should fill the old stadium first to prove there is sense and reason in building a new one.

Instead of being something everyone can benefit from, the Canberra stadium is slowly turning into a polarising factor. Still, the demands asking for a little less conversation and a little more action are getting louder. Besides Pocock and Stuart, the locals are also raising their voices and asking for the government to finally make a move in the right direction.

© Google Maps | The current stadium in Canberra

Canberra’s Missed Opportunities

In 2019, Canberra's Gio Stadium hosted 21 events, which is approximately an event every two weeks. According to Barr, it takes more than that to make the investment profitable. However, his statement doesn’t hold up, as in the past few years, several new stadiums were opened. One of them was the Townsville stadium that opened with an Elton John concert and hosted Billie Eilish, Pink, and Kiss among others.

Responsible Gambling

The prevalence of gambling is obvious, as due to the lack of other entertainment, people choose convenient and easily accessible mobile gambling. Gambling is not illegal in ACT, but still, it is important to know your limits, take a break when needed, and avoid chasing losses. All gamblers who feel things are getting out of hand, should consider getting professional help.

Conclusion

The new stadium has become a running joke among the people of Canberra, and for many, a topic they are bitter to talk about. It has been 15 years since it was first announced, and many are losing hope it will happen in their lifetimes. A new Canberra stadium has been long in the making, and it is crucial for the development of the city and making it recognisable.

The stadium, which is among the oldest in the country, reached its use-by date a long time ago. The delays in building the new one are turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Australia is hosting the Olympics once again (this time in Brisbane), and the Canberra stadium still hasn’t moved from ground zero.

© Janine | The current stadium in Canberra