The NRL has hinted it will offer marquee content to sweeten the deal for a new stadium in Civic, chief executive Todd Greenberg declaring his support for the $400 million project.
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But the ACT government is still waiting for Sport Australia to detail plans an AIS redesign, which will likely involve selling Canberra Stadium to pave the way for a new venue to be built in the city.
Greenberg was in Canberra on Friday to tour the Raiders' new $19 million facility in Braddon, which is expected to be finished by the end of this year.
He also met with senior Raiders players to discuss off-field behaviour and ARL Commission chair Peter Beattie is expected to join him in the capital to watch Canberra play against the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday.
The Raiders, ACT Brumbies and an A-League for Canberra bid are driving the push for a new stadium in the city to reinvigorate the capital's sporting landscape.
It's unlikely the NRL will offer financial help to build a new stadium, which could potentially have a roof, but Greenberg said the chance to host State of Origin, a 'Magic round' or other marquee events would be rugby league's way of chipping in.
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"There are a number of different ways we can support these initiatives," Greenberg said.
"In Townsville, that was a $250 million government injection from federal and state and our commitment to that was a certain number of events to be played there.
"You'll see the All Stars there, you'll see a Kangaroos and Jillaroos Test match played there. These are the sorts of events that bring enormous economic impact to government.
"Last week we played a Magic round in Brisbane that created more than $20 million of economic impact when we bring eight games to one location. With new stadiums comes new content, which means new economic impact.
"I'm as keen as the Raiders are to see a [new] stadium here in the city of Canberra ... Nothing would please us more to see a purpose-built rectangular stadium for Canberra."
The Canberra Times revealed last week ACT senator Zed Seselja was keen to work with the ACT government to reignite the plans for a new stadium.
Seselja reaffirmed his position after being re-elected in the federal election, saying: "I think it is significant priority. The ACT government, if they are willing to talk, I would be willing to sit down with them and certainly put the case to my colleagues. I think as we look at the future of the AIS, its a decision that needs to be made."
The AIS is considering cutting in half the size of its campus at Bruce, reducing the site to 30 hectares and selling major assets including Canberra Stadium and the AIS Arena.
"There are levers that both the ACT government and the Commonwealth have, in how we reconfigure the AIS that could be beneficial to both sides. I think if there is a willingess, then I would be very happy to see constructive talks go on there."