Question - Disability

1. Has an accessibility audit ever been conducted at the GIO stadium; if so, (a) can the Minister provide the information collated and (b) has any action been taken to upgrade the facilities in response to the audit; if so, can the Minister enumerate what the upgrades were, and when they were completed.
2. What are the seating arrangements for those with a disability.
3. What access and egress arrangements are there for people with a disability.
4. What parking spaces are available for those with a disability.
5. What is the percentage for (a) seating, (b) access arrangements and (c) parking of the whole stadium.

(1) An accessibility audit was undertaken at GIO Stadium in May 2022.

(a) The report recommends priority items as:

(i) Ensure general circulation areas comply;

(ii) Provide a minimum four complying accessible toilets;

(iii) Upgrade lounges to be accessible; and

(iv) Upgrade stairs.

(b) Action undertaken includes: 

(i) General circulation areas include the concourses and concreting works have been undertaken and ongoing works will be undertaken through the 2024-25 Asset Renewal Program;

(ii) Disabled access to the north and south kiosks completed in April 2024;

(iii) Disabled car parks on the west side of GIO Stadium were upgraded to a compliant solution in 2023;

(iv) Reception desk at GIO Stadium upgraded to compliant in April 2024; 

(v) Stair nosing improvements will continue annually; 

(vi) New south deck corporate space added with accessible compliance; and

(vii) Lift accessibility is provided to the east and west corporate lounges.

GIO Stadium was compliant to the current standards at the time of its construction. All new works must adhere to the National Construction Code (NCC) standards which include accessibility to be compliant and gain approval.

(2) The venue has an accessibility map and page on the stadium website showing available seating. Previously, seating for patrons with a disability could only be purchased via a phone call however, GIO Stadum’s ticketing provider, Ticketek, has updated its online service and patrons can purchase accessible tickets for themselves and accompanying guests from the Ticketek website. Accessible seats are available in the west, east, north and south concourses, the east grandstand and corporate areas including lounges. Details are at: Wheelchair-Accessibility-Print.jpg (3507×2478) (giostadiumcanberra.com.au)

Other facilities at GIO Stadium include a hearing loop available in dedicated bays.

(3) There is a dedicated accessibility page on the GIO Stadium website here: Accessibility Information - GIO Stadium Canberra. The east and west ticket entrances have disability access via their corporate entrances and a dedicated People with Disabilities gate. The east and west sides of GIO Stadium have elevators that assist accessing all areas of the stadium including the corporate lounges on both sides. 

(4) Disability parking areas are on the west side of GIO Stadium and additional space is dedicated for disability parking for large matches. The east car park has a non-sealed surface and does have formal disability parking spaces however, it is regularly made available for disability access.

The car parks used for events at GIO Stadium are various car parks that service the buildings of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) within the AIS precinct. The Territory leases these car parks on event days only. There are no dedicated car parks for the exclusive use of GIO Stadium and parking in close proximity to the gates of the venue is limited. Venues Canberra works with the ASC to provide temporary overlay for events to supplement available parking on events days.

(5) 

(a) The seating capacity of GIO Stadium is 25,120 and there are 157 wheelchair spaces which provides a percentage of 0.62 per cent.

(b) For access arrangements, there are gates on the east and west side of the venue, and both have accessible entrances.

(c) GIO Stadium does not have dedicated car parking provisioned. Due to this, parking capacity for GIO Stadium can vary as the majority of areas are unmarked and areas are shared/allocated with the AIS. A recent count has the aggregated event carparking capacity for an event of 2,300 spaces. Of these, there are 20 compliant disability spaces. Unmarked disability parking is reserved in various other areas to increase capacity to 70 spaces or 3 per cent of total event parking spaces.