Minns Government quietly paving way for private development of public land around NSW stadiums
The NSW Labor Government plans to allow private development on public land, through proposed amendments to the Sporting Venues Authorities Act that could be rushed through Parliament as early as the 3rd of February.
The changes would enable public land owned by Venues NSW surrounding major stadiums in Parramatta, Penrith, Newcastle and Wollongong to be developed for 'residential, tourist and visitor accommodation'.
Dr Amanda Cohn MLC, NSW Greens spokesperson for Sports and Recreation, said the move represents a major shift away from the purpose of Venues NSW.
“Venues NSW was created to manage major facilities for sport and entertainment events, not to act as a real-estate arm for the government,” Dr Cohn said.
“These amendments would quietly open the door to for-profit accommodation development. Once this land is gone, it’s gone for good.”
Dr Cohn said the proposal mirrors changes that Labor opposed while in opposition. For example, during debate on the Sporting Venues Authorities Amendment (Venues NSW) Bill 2020, Labor MP Lynda Voltz cautioned:
“Once a piece of land or facilities are lost, they are lost for good. Every time a piece of land is used for infrastructure we do not get it back. This Government talks a lot about open public spaces but under its planning it takes more and more of it away.”
“The functions of Venues NSW should not be the development of residential precincts and hotels.”
Dr Cohn said community feedback contradicts the government’s justification that hotel developments near stadiums benefit regional communities.
“The government claims this is about helping people from the regions access sporting events, but regional communities want investment in local sports infrastructure and affordable access to facilities, not hotels built on public land in metropolitan areas,” she said.
“This looks less like community benefit and more like a smokescreen for a gift to developers.”
The Greens are opposing the bill, as well as moving an amendment to limit any development to residential only.
“Public land should serve the public interest, not developer profits,” Dr Cohn said.
“If the Minns Government believes this plan has broad community support, it should be upfront about it rather than trying to slip it through Parliament with minimal scrutiny.”