5.5 Maximum Seating Capacity
Issue Summary
5.5.1 The status of the project in the light of the Stadium Australia Project Agreement as amended on 20
December 1999 by the Stadium Australia Project Agreement Amendment Deed.
Raised By
5.5.2 Telstra Stadium; Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA)
Consideration
5.5.3 There are commercial and contractual arrangements that exist between NSW State Government and
the Stadium Australia Trust as set out within the Stadium Australia Project Agreement as amended on
20 December 1999 by the Stadium Australia Project Agreement Amendment Deed. This agreement is
applicable to redevelopment of major stadia in NSW including the SCG.
5.5.4 The ?Redevelopment of an Existing Competitive Stadium? section of the Deed places restrictions and
notification obligations upon the NSW Government in situations where it assists in the redevelopment
of new and existing competitive venues. The rationale for this is to ensure that the private sector could
plan for its business needs over the duration of the 30 year lease.
5.5.5 The term ?redevelopment? within this section of the Deed refers to an increase in the maximum seating
capacity to in excess of 48,000 seats. The development proposal will increase the maximum seating
capacity of the SCG from 44,000 to 46,746 seats. This increase in seating capacity at the SCG will not
therefore contravene the provisions of the Deed.
5.5.6 Whilst it is acknowledged that there is reference within the EA to future redevelopment at the SCG this
falls outside the scope of the current application and does not form part of the current development
proposal. The Department?s assessment of the application has been carried out on the basis of an
overall increase in seating capacity from 44,002 to 46,746 seats.
Department?s Position
5.5.7 The Department considers it appropriate to recommend that the Minister impose a condition upon his
approval limiting the maximum seating capacity to the number of seats proposed (with limited
contingency) (Condition A2). This limit is based upon the outcomes of the Department?s merit
assessment of the environmental impacts associated with the proposal as set out in Section 6.
Bookmarks