ACT Chief Minister Barr kiboshes Civic Stadium until late 2020s with ACT budget

In announcing the ACT budget on Wednesday, Barr said the cost in grants and tax concessions to businesses this year was in excess of $475 million.

There was no room for any new major projects within the next four years, with the government's focus on projects like the Woden light rail extension and the Canberra Hospital expansion.

That means there'll be no money for a Civic stadium until after 2025, with construction unable to begin before then.

Unless the federal government was to come to the party.

There's been rumours circulating all year Scott Morrison's government was willing to bankroll half of the cost of a new stadium if the ACT government stumped up the other half.

But that won't be happening any time soon.

"There will not be major new projects beyond what is outlined in this budget until the second half of the 2020s," Barr said.

"I know I'll be asked, 'What about convention centres, stadiums, that sort of thing?'

"The short answer is no. You will not be seeing until the second half of the 2020s at the earliest.

"That is one of the things that has to take a back seat because of the spending we've had to undertake this year.

"We've handed out more than $475 million in either grants or tax concessions to businesses. That's a football stadium."

It also casts doubts over replacing the now obsolete Commonwealth-owned AIS Arena.

While the ACT government was interested in the federal government's plans for the arena, they haven't allocated any funding to it in the budget because that's the Commonwealth's responsibility.

It's been closed since the start of the pandemic because $5 million in upgrades are needed to make it safe for spectators.

The federal government has been sitting on their hands over a report they commissioned into the future of the AIS - including the arena - that was completed 18 months ago.

But there was some good news to come out of the budget with the ACT government putting money aside for a review to find a short-term solution to the AIS Arena dilemma.

It's closing has left the Canberra Capitals unable to play there, instead playing home games at the much smaller National Convention Centre.

It's also meant Super Netball and Diamonds games can no longer be played in the ACT due to the lack of a venue.

But the government has put aside $1.6 million over the next four years to "support elite women's sport".

While a lot of that was the annual payments to the Capitals and Canberra United, some of it was put aside for a report into finding short-term fixes for the lack of an indoor arena.

"The ACT government continues to wait for a response from the Australian government on the future of the AIS Arena," an ACT government spokesperson said.

"In the meantime the ACT government will conduct a review of venues to find a suitable short- to medium-term alternative that could accommodate large crowds.

"The ACT government is continuing its strong commitment to women in sport.

"We will continue to invest in elite women's sport through this budget, by providing ongoing funding to the Canberra Capitals and Canberra United.

"The existence of the Canberra Capitals and Canberra United in the ACT sports market helps to promote and develop community basketball and football and women's sport more broadly, while also providing quality female role models with capacity to inspire the next generation of female sporting leaders."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

The budget also included $2.3 million in 2023-24 for their Cricket Australia strategic partnership.

While that's not an indication that a new agreement's for further Test matches and short-form cricket was in the pipeline, it was an indication the ACT government was keen to ensure they maintain a long-term partnership with the sport's governing body.

This summer Manuka Oval's due to host a Women's Ashes Test between Australia and England, as well as a Twenty20 International between Australia and New Zealand and two Big Bash League games - pandemic allowing.

"The ACT government remains committed to working with Cricket Australia in the longer term to see international cricket content played in Canberra," the spokesperson said.

"The current budget includes provision for the acquisition and delivery of such events in the Territory."