Arabic version: خطة ملعب الواجهة البحرية في كانبيرا تثير تساؤلات حول إرث غريفين

According to ABC News, Canberra Airport has unveiled a proposal for an all-event stadium near Commonwealth Park, reviving debate over a central-city venue and its relationship to Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s original vision for the capital.

The airport’s chief executive and a consortium of business owners propose buying Catholic Church land along Commonwealth Avenue for a 25,000-to-35,000-seat stadium for sport and music events. Canberra Airport said it was willing to contribute to developing the proposal, but was not seeking ownership or an ongoing financial interest in operating the venue.

ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel said the stadium render looked “incredible” after meeting the airport chief executive. He said further study was needed on possible transport and parking impacts.

A lakeside stadium featured in the Griffins’ award-winning Canberra blueprint, which won a 1911 competition with more than 130 entries. Their cultural hub by the lake also included baths, a gymnasium and zoological gardens. Later designs placed a stadium at Rond Terrace, at the end of Anzac Parade, recessed into the bank to preserve the continuous vista along the land axis.

Canberra historian Tony Maple, of the Canberra and Region Heritage Researchers network, said the proposed venue differs sharply from the flat space for general assembly envisaged by the Griffins. He said a multi-storey stadium potentially 30 or 40 metres high could encroach on the Canberra plan, take over part of Commonwealth Park and affect the intended parkland around Lake Burley Griffin. The National Capital Authority said it would work with all parties as the concept develops under National Capital Plan processes and requirements.