Should they win the election, the Canberra liberals plan to build a modern stadium at Acton Waterfront. With long-standing discussions about replacing the run-down Bruce Stadium, the project could become one of the key political issues in the region.

Canberra Liberals' pork barrel?

The construction of a new stadium in Canberra has been a topic of excitement for years. The replacement of the current Bruce Stadium has been under consideration for many years, with final decisions still in limbo. A new facility was a topic of consideration in 2022. Now the topic is back on the agenda for the next election. The Canberra liberals have announced a bold plan to build a new 30 000-seat stadium at the picturesque Acton Waterfront site. The proposal has become a key focus of their campaign ahead of the upcoming Australian Capital Territory (ACT) election.

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One of the main arguments cited by the liberals is the issue of cost. According to previous government estimates, the construction of a city stadium would cost as much as A$3 billion to build, making the project prohibitively expensive and even uneconomical. Opposition leader Elizabeth Lee, however, claims that her party is able to complete the project for much less money - in the range of A$700-800 million.

According to Lee, her party plans to begin design and preparatory work immediately so that construction can begin in the first term if the liberals win the election. Andrew Barr has strung Canberrans along for over a decade with broken promises and multiple feasibility studies - Lee said, criticising the actions of the current Labor-Green government. The Opposition Leader insists that the Liberals are the only party fully committed to the project.

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Benefits of new stadium

The modern stadium at Acton Waterfront is expected to not only serve as a venue for local sports teams such as the Raiders, Brumbies and Canberra United, but also attract international sporting events, concerts and other entertainment. Elizabeth Lee argues that the stadium will have a significant impact on increasing tourism, which will have a positive impact on local hospitality and catering businesses.

It's about making sure that we enhance the city vibrancy and game-day experience, as well as delivering the broader boost that is really required to the city centre Lee explained. She added that the project will keep money in the city rather than flowing out to other parts of the country.

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Location challenges

One of the controversial points of the Liberal project is the chosen location - Acton Waterfront. The area had previously been considered by the government, but the ACT's current infrastructure plan has identified serious constraints that could jeopardise the construction of a stadium at the site. In a statement, a Labour Party spokesperson highlighted that under the National Capital Plan, the West Basin, which includes Acton Waterfront, is an area subject to strict land use and building height regulations.

You can't just plonk a stadium anywhere you think it might fit. The West Basin precinct is a Designated Area, as defined in the National Capital Plan, with strict land uses, and considerable planning controls and clear building height limits. A stadium is not permitted on the land. West Basin is not an appropriate location for a structure of that size. - the spokesperson pointed out, adding that West Basin is not a suitable location for a facility of this size. Despite this, Lee noted that the chosen location at Acton Waterfront would not require the demolition of other buildings or excessive associated works.

The Australian Capital Territory Government, led by Chief Minister Andrew Barr, has still not made a final decision on the future of the existing stadium at Bruce. Barr, who initially supported the construction of a new stadium, is now leaning towards investing in a different location - in the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) district. The federal government is planning major upgrades there, which makes this location seem more sensible from Barr's point of view. The project would cost between A$1.339 billion and A$1.869 billion, which, despite the higher price tag, the government says is more realistic than the Liberal proposal. That versus of a photoshop of a stadium in a precinct that it's not into allowed to be built in, is the choice before voters at this election Barr added.

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