A Canberra Liberals government will deliver a new 30,000-seat stadium in the city, with the preferred site being the Acton Waterfront. 

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said construction would begin in the first term of government and the Canberra Liberals were committed to providing Canberrans with a city stadium that would bring enormous social, cultural and economic benefit to the ACT. 

The election promise comes only three days after the opposition pledged to build a new, $510 million National Convention Centre, on the site of Civic Pool if a Liberal government is elected on October 19.

“A world-class stadium located at the Acton Waterfront, in close proximity to restaurants, bars and hotels will revitalise not only the city centre, but all of Canberra,” Ms Lee said. 

“A new stadium, delivered by the Canberra Liberals will provide our local sporting teams such as the Raiders, Brumbies and Canberra United with a modern facility and will be a venue that attracts international sporting events, State of Origin and world-class music and entertainment.” 

She said the proposed waterfront stadium would hold 30,000 seats, significantly boost tourism and create local jobs, with taxpayers to receive significant economic benefit for money spent on the project even before considering federal funding or PPP arrangements. 

“There is a reason why cities all across Australia and the world build stadiums in the city centre due to the many benefits that come with an infrastructure project of this kind in the city,” Ms Lee said. 

“The Canberra Liberals have always been committed to building infrastructure projects that have the most economic, cultural and social benefit for Canberrans, and a new stadium located in the city will signal to the rest of Australia – and the world – that Canberra is open for business; and open to host world-class events. 

“The site for the stadium at the Acton Waterfront does not require other buildings to be knocked down or excessive associated costs as those put forward by Chief Minister Andrew Barr at other sites across Canberra. 

“It is clear the Labor-Greens government has no interest in building a new stadium and Andrew Barr has strung Canberrans along for over a decade with broken promises and nine feasibility studies. 

“For too long Canberrans have been let down by a government that has failed time and time again to deliver infrastructure projects to the ACT and it is now abundantly clear that the Canberra Liberals are the only party that will build a new stadium for our city.”

Libs pledge to quickly build new convention centre