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ANZ Stadium redevelopment plans revealed

The New South Wales government has today (Wednesday) revealed designs for its proposed Aus$810m (£441.4m/€499.1m/$548.7m) redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, stating that the introduction of a “cauldron effect” will lead to the creation of a more intimate venue.

The redevelopment of the venue at Sydney Olympic Park, also known as Stadium Australia, is part of a major infrastructure project that has proved a contentious issue in recent months. While ANZ Stadium is being redeveloped, Allianz Stadium at Moore Park is being demolished to make way for an entirely new venue.

In June, a timeline for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium was revealed following a meeting between the National Rugby League (NRL) and its clubs. The government has now detailed the latest designs for the new-look ANZ Stadium, developed by Cox Architecture, as it called on the NSW community to have its say on the State Significant Development application.

The masterplan includes reconfiguring the playing field from an oval to a rectangular shape and redeveloping the lower and middle seating to increase the steepness of the seating bowl to provide better views. This will reduce capacity from 83,500 to 70,000, plus 20,000 persons on the field for concerts.

The northern and southern sections of roof will be replaced, with the existing eastern and western sections extended in an effort to provide “100 per cent drip-line” coverage for all permanent seats. The changes will bring the east and west stands five metres closer to the field and the north and south stands 18 metres nearer. “The new mid and lower tiers create a ‘cauldron’ effect for approximately 50,000 fans, bringing them closer to the action than Suncorp Stadium or the new Perth Stadium,” an architectural and design report said.

Demolishing portions of the northern and southern façades will provide new entrances at these ends, including new façade and double height concourse. The project will also include upgrading concession areas, bathrooms, team facilities, member and corporate facilities, along with press and broadcast facilities, and back house areas.

Acting Sports Minister Geoff Lee said the redevelopment of the stadium is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. “The NSW government is committed to the redevelopment of Stadium Australia as part of our commitment to building world class stadia,” he added, according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Public submissions over the plans can be made from tomorrow (Thursday) through to October 23. The government’s executive director of compliance, industry and key sites, Anthea Sargeant, said in a statement: “Community consultation is an integral part of the planning process and the applicant will have to respond to the feedback we receive. It’s easy to participate by going online and we encourage everyone to take a look and have their say.”

The redevelopment is designed to extend the life of ANZ Stadium by a further 40 years and ensure that Sydney retains the NRL grand final for the next 25 years, as well as attracting a range of other major events.

Images: NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment