Pressure on SA Health to approve Adelaide Oval full capacity ahead of Showdown amid no COVID-19 in community

With the Showdown a little more than a fortnight away, pressure is mounting on SA Health from across the city to bring the Oval back to full seating.

Pressure is mounting on SA Health to approve a full house Adelaide Oval ahead of next month’s blockbuster AFL Showdown amid business calls to help the CBD economy.

The Transition Committee on Tuesday disclosed boosting Riverbank arena crowds to 100 per cent capacity was “on the table”, hours after The Advertiser revealed details to allow more fans to watch events.

SA Health officials and bosses at the Stadium Management Authority, which manage the Oval, are negotiating lifting spectator caps from a current 40,000 fans to more than 53,000 people.

Crowds at last year’s Showdown where fans were socially distancing in the southern stand Picture Sarah Reed

Further talks are scheduled for later this week. The Showdown – a Power home match – is just over a fortnight away.

But as details about the first Port Adelaide and Crows SANFL curtain raiser derby were revealed, business leaders on Tuesday night called on SA Health to approve the new SMA COVID-19 management plan.

Sources said it would involve allowing both SA clubs to offer members original seats and splitting fans into “pods”.

The Victorian Government is seriously considering a push for 100 per cent capacity at the MCG amid high demand for tickets to the Anzac Day Collingwood/Essendon clash.

Other grounds across Australia also have 100 per cent capacity.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency and Business SA chairwoman, Nikki Govan, said SA was world renowned in hosting major events in a global pandemic.

“I think it’s time for us to review the restrictions that remain in place for Adelaide Oval and, indeed, for general business and hospitality industries,” she said.

“We should have confidence in the measures in place to manage a future outbreak with QR codes and hygiene practises.”

Nikki Govan, the new chairwoman of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency, along with Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said authorities could “kick a ‘COVID goal’ very simply by lifting numbers for AFL games but also by easing restrictions in other areas of the economy”.

“Hospitality and tourism operators in the CBD will be a direct beneficiary of increasing event attendance numbers, so it’s time to blow the whistle on an AFL crowd cap,” he said.

AHA boss Ian Horne said it was “sensible” SMA proposal.

“The CBD is crying out for help and having more people return to the city,” he said.

“We would strongly encourage that and actively support such a (crowd) decision.”

Transition Committee adviser, acting deputy Police Commissioner Noel Bamford said talks were ongoing.

“The lack of cases within the community (and) the situation around the country are all very positive signs,” he said.

Deputy chief public health officer Dr Emily Kirkpatrick said risk assessments would occur alongside medical advice.

“We do need to take into account the large number of patrons at this site,” she said.

Neither SA club or the SMA commented.

International students would have to pay for their trips and must not bump off Australian residents from quarantine. Picture: Charles Darwin University / AFP

Dedicated student facility nearly open

A dedicated facility for international students to serve mandatory coronavirus quarantine is close to being unveiled, officials say.

Authorities are in final negotiations on the special Adelaide suburban facility to kickstart the $2bn international education sector.

The Sunday Mail revealed it was among several options for students to serve 14 days’ isolation that also includes the Howard Springs quarantine village, near Darwin.

Speaking after the Transition Committee yesterday, acting deputy police commissioner Noel Bamford said a weekly government working group was “progressing very well with their preparations”.

“I would expect that in the very near future, there’ll be some announcements,” Mr Bamford said.

“They’re making very good progress on a particular site, which I’m not able to announce … making sure it is suitable and it is appropriate.”

Study Adelaide chief executive Karyn Kent said any student return needed to meet special Federal Government protocols.

“There has been a significant amount of work put into this,” she said. “It is complex, there are industry-led solutions being scoped for quarantine outside of the medi-hotels.”

Paying students cannot displace a returning Australian resident from quarantine.

A State Government spokesman said SA “continues to work with the Federal Government on a proposal” but refused to say when its plan would be finalised.