A re-elected Morrison Government would provide $15 million for the redevelopment of Viking Park, Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja (Liberals) announced today.
The commitment comes after Senator Seselja advocated for the upgrade and for more suburban options for Canberra’s sporting teams.
Viking Park is a multi-sport stadium in Wanniassa, next to the Vikings Erindale Club. It is the venue for the ACT Rugby Union final series and all home games for the Tuggeranong Vikings Football Club.
The proposed upgrade, which the Canberra Vikings Club would co-fund, would transform Viking Park from a 1,000-seat single grandstand park into a state-of-the-art boutique suburban stadium capable of seating up to 10,000 people with more capacity on the hill areas, Senator Seselja said.
Independent ACT Senate candidate David Pocock, a former rugby union player, said the proposal fell short of community expectations. Mr Pocock is contesting Senator Seselja’s seat.
Seselja: Investing in infrastructure
“Viking Park has long been a staple in Canberra’s sporting infrastructure, and this upgrade will establish it as a first-class suburban stadium, equipped for mid-sized local and national events alike,” Senator Seselja said.
The proposed upgrade, he said, would also be “a win for women’s sport”; it includes plans for women’s changerooms and facilities, giving more options for both women’s professional teams and local competitions.
“I’m looking forward to watching local footy matches played here, national matches, with the potential to see Super Rugby and A-League games here down the track, too.”
Anthony Hill, CEO of the Vikings Group, welcomed the funding commitment.
“It is important to the Vikings Group that we are in the position to offer facilities that reflect the quality of sport we can showcase here in Tuggeranong,” Mr Hill said.
“With teams such as Vikings Rugby, Brumbies Super W, the Matildas, and Canberra United using these facilities, it’s only right that the stadium and surrounding grounds receive the attention they deserve.
“The Vikings Group supports more than 50 local sporting clubs, and an upgrade to Viking Park will also enhance its role as the beating heart of sport in the Tuggeranong Valley.”
Senator Seselja said this commitment comes after $11.4 million secured before the election to address AIS Arena’s safety issues and reopen it for indoor sporting and community events, along with the Commonwealth Government’s $2.1 billion in infrastructure spending in the ACT in recent years – the most in a generation.
“Cities like Canberra need a range of indoor and outdoor stadium options, and given the ACT Labor-Greens Government continue to prioritise their pet projects over Canberra’s sporting infrastructure, I’m glad to have successfully fought to have the Commonwealth step in where they will not,” Senator Seselja said.
David Pocock: Seselja hasn’t delivered
Mr Pocock said that while Viking Park was a much-loved local asset, the simple upgrade proposal fell well short of community expectations.
“This re-announcement from Senator Seselja hasn’t gotten much better with age,” he said.
“Senator Seselja failed to secure any actual funding for this project in the federal budget.
“This is part of a track record of not delivering for the Canberra community, despite being in government for almost a decade.”
Mr Pocock said it was disappointing to see Senator Seselja had not taken on board community feedback on his proposal to upgrade Viking Park.
“The community could not have been clearer in their response to this idea when it was floated a month ago. They want to see something that goes a lot further.
“While welcome, the proposal to upgrade Viking Park falls well short of what’s needed.
“In last month’s federal budget, we saw the ACT finish in last place for infrastructure investment once again with just 0.3 per cent of the total national spend, despite needing to make up for decades of neglect.
“The business community has been asking for a fit-for-purpose National Convention Centre for over a decade. We aren’t able to host major conferences in Canberra, and we are missing out on an opportunity to grow our economy and host the best in the world here in the ACT,” Mr Pocock said.
“Over Senator Seselja’s nine years – three full terms – in government, we’ve seen Canberra miss out on our fair share of infrastructure spending.
“And now we’re seeing promises of a suburban rugby stadium upgrade if we re-elect him for a fourth term. He hasn’t delivered, and this re-announcement doesn’t offer anything like the long-term vision for our city we need.
“We need the type of infrastructure that will pump millions of dollars into our local economy, into the hands of local workers and businesses.
“The community expects, and deserves, much more from Senator Seselja and the Federal Government when it comes to investment in the ACT.”
