New 60,000 AFL Stadium to be Built in Perth

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett has announced that a new 60,000-seat stadium will be built in Perth for the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers of the Australian Football League (AFL).

Western Australia’s new US$735m stadium, which is due to be completed by 2018, will be built on the site of the existing 43,500-capacity Patersons Stadium in Burswood. Barnett announced that the venue’s capacity, if required, could be expanded to hold 70,000 spectators.

Barnett said: “Burswood Peninsula is unconstrained by surrounding development and Government-owned, which will allow us to achieve the vision of a world-class stadium precinct. The new stadium will be the centrepiece of an emerging eastside precinct at the gateway to Perth and is within walking distance of a range of potential transport options including footbridges, ferries, and trains.”

Barnett added that there would be an international design competition to “attract the best ideas” and said: “The new Perth Stadium will deliver a high quality, state-of-the-art facility all West Australians can be proud of.”

Western Australia Football Commission chairman, Frank Cooper, welcomed the news, describing it as a “fantastic occasion for football”.

Cooper said: “The two AFL clubs have sold out memberships, effectively, (and) their ability to continue to grow and their finances to continue to compete in the AFL have been limited by Patersons Stadium. This stadium will give them the opportunity to take the next steps forward that they need to continue to compete successfully in the AFL.”