The NSW government says it remains on track to host the 2022 NRL grand final at the new Sydney Football Stadium despite the COVID-19 crisis.
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Acting Sport Minister Geoff Lee on Thursday said construction firm John Holland was on schedule to complete the Moore Park project in 2022 after construction works commenced in December.
"We're committed to delivering the SFS by the 2022 NRL grand final," Mr Lee told reporters on Thursday.
With coronavirus-prompted restrictions in place around pubs and sporting events, Mr Lee said the project build was able to move forward undisturbed by disruptions.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to go full steam ahead," he said.
"We encourage sports to resume as quickly as they can ... as long as they adhere to those health regulations that are in place at the moment."
The contract to build the 42,500-seat stadium was given to John Holland in December after the government rejected Lendlease's offer to build the stadium in July. Lendlease had earlier completed the demolition of the old Sydney Football Stadium.
Despite then-NSW sports minister John Sidoti saying the coalition would deliver the project within the $729 million budget, the costs have blown out by about $100 million.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has previously claimed her government got the best price and timeline for construction after rejecting Lendlease's bid.
"Government always gives its estimate and says this is our best information on what the budget is, but now we've been to market, we've been through a robust process," Ms Berejiklian told reporters last year.
Mr Lee on Thursday said the revised bill for constructing the stadium was $824 million.
John Holland said the first of 1500 support piles going into the ground on Thursday marked the start of the major structural works for the development.
Australian Associated Press
