The discovery of a historic 19th-century water tunnel beneath Moore Park has led to significant changes in the design of the Allianz Stadium underground carpark.
The unexpected find of the heritage-listed Busby’s Bore has resulted in a redesign to ensure the tunnel remains undisturbed while accommodating the stadium’s parking needs.
Originally approved in 2022, the underground carpark was planned to include 1,500 spaces to support the 42,500-seat Allianz Stadium.
However, during early construction, workers uncovered parts of Busby’s Bore, a tunnel built in the 1830s by convicts to provide Sydney with a reliable water supply. Recognised as a crucial piece of Sydney’s history, the tunnel is protected under state heritage laws.
Following the discovery, city authorities required the carpark design to be altered to preserve the tunnel’s integrity while continuing construction.
Changes to the Carpark Design
To protect the heritage tunnel, Venues NSW, the agency responsible for the project, has introduced several modifications to the carpark layout under SSD-9835-Mod-10:
Plaza Adjustments: The outdoor plaza above the carpark will be redesigned to highlight the historic tunnel’s presence and ensure accessibility features align with the Everyone Can Play guidelines.
Deeper Excavation: The carpark will now be dug an additional three metres deeper on the western side to avoid the tunnel, which lies about two metres below the original design depth.
Additional Level: On the eastern side, an extra parking level will be added to compensate for space lost due to the redesign.
Space for Event Operations: Parking spaces originally planned for the mezzanine level will be removed and replaced with a new double-height area called a ‘boneyard,’ which will provide storage and staging space for event logistics.
Impact on Capacity and Timelines
As a result of these changes, the number of available parking spaces will decrease by 78 from the original 1,500. Venues NSW has yet to confirm whether this reduction will lead to alternative parking solutions or adjustments in traffic management around the stadium.
Project timelines are also under review. Officials have warned that further modifications could lead to delays and increased costs, although no final figures have been disclosed.
Heritage Protection Measures
To ensure the tunnel remains intact, construction crews have established a protected zone around Busby’s Bore. Special monitoring equipment has also been installed to track vibrations and prevent potential damage during excavation.
What’s Next?
The revised plans are currently going through the necessary planning and approval processes. Once completed, the city officials will provide updated timelines and budget estimates. Meanwhile, work on sections not affected by the heritage discovery continues.
The Allianz Stadium redevelopment aims to balance the need for modern infrastructure with the preservation of Sydney’s historical landmarks, ensuring both functionality and heritage protection.
Published 22-Jan-2025
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