The government is continuing its bid to increase the number of major concerts at Allianz Stadium and this week released the planning modification for public exhibition.
With music superstar Sir Paul McCartney confirming that he’ll play back-to-back concerts at the new $828 million stadium in October, Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the cap must be lifted so more people can make use of the best new entertainment venue in Australia.
Concerts at Allianz Stadium are estimated to be worth $7 million per night to the NSW economy and create some 1500 direct and indirect jobs. This is in addition to attracting attendees from all over Sydney, NSW and Australia.
Concertgoers are also the biggest users of the public transport network, which is included with any ticketed event at Allianz Stadium and the SCG. In January, more than 70% of attendees at Elton John’s concerts travelled to and from Allianz Stadium on the public transport network.
The planning amendment to the stadium’s State Significant Development Application (SSDA) goes on public exhibition on Saturday 12 August with people invited to have their say. This follows extensive public consultation led by Venues NSW, which reached 35,000 local residents and businesses, through email, phone, letter drops, community engagements and public stalls.
The SSDA includes a concert cap that was first created in the mid-1990s that today restricts the SCG and Allianz Stadium to a maximum of 6 concerts per year, with a 5-year rolling average of 4 concerts a year.
Allianz Stadium is the third venue to sit alongside the Sydney Cricket Ground (est. 1851), adding to the precinct’s history of hosting major sporting and entertainment events, including concerts, major opera spectaculars, motor racing and all manner of sporting events.
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NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“We’ve seen record crowds roll through for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and now is the time to continue the momentum by removing this concert cap and working with all the major concert promoters to bring the biggest and best music artists and shows to Sydney.”
“We need to put the entertainment back into the entertainment precinct.”
“Sir Paul McCartney will play two shows at Allianz Stadium in October, that’s 50% of the stadiums yearly allowance.”
“We need to unlock this stadium, we want to see as many NSW residents as possible enjoying this world class venue.”
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“Our goal is to bring live music back to NSW. The state lost half of all music venues over the last decade and we are addressing this.
“There could not be a bigger symbol of where the new government wants to head than lifting the concert cap.”
