Sydney Football Stadium

The Department of Planning and Environment believes the approval process for the demolition of the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) has followed proper process and meets all regulatory and legal obligations.

The demolition of the existing SFS and the concept approval for the new stadium were approved after a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of all issues including considering more than 700 submissions from the community, local councils, special interest groups and state agencies.

There was significant community consultation including public information sessions.

The Department met many community groups during the assessment of the proposal and is confident that it has meet its statutory obligations for public exhibition of the proposal including the mandatory 28 days of consultation required under the Act. The Department’s assessment report demonstrates that all issues raised in the more than 700 submissions were addressed.

It should be noted that the approval does not permit the construction of the new stadium and INSW is to submit a further application for the detailed design and construction of the new stadium.

The Department’s assessment report addresses design excellence requirements. The concept approval has imposed conditions to ensure that the application for the new stadium will demonstrate the highest standard of design excellence, including a competitive design process and compliance with the approved urban design guidelines.

The Department’s assessment expressly considered possible contamination of the site. The approval only allows for demolition of the existing stadium to the current ground level – the approval imposes strict requirements that no excavation take place during the demolition of the stadium.

The Department’s assessment found that the risk of contamination on the site is low but that a more detailed site examination must be carried out before the new stadium can be approved.

Local residents can be assured that their safety is of paramount concern to the NSW Government and that the current approval will not allow any excavation on the site.

The legal advice obtained by the Leader of the Opposition has only been provided to the Department late this afternoon. We will review the advice.

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