Arron Wood takes a chance on Docklands with his $10m call to bring ABBA Voyage to Melbourne

Lord mayoral hopeful Arron Wood has taken a big chance in promising $10m of ratepayers’ money to bring ABBA’s virtual concert to Docklands, if elected to the city’s top job.

Lord mayoral hopeful Arron Wood has pledged $10m to help bring ABBA’s spectacular 3D virtual concert to Docklands, if elected to the city’s top job.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Mr Wood and his running mate Erin Deering would make the massive investment if ABBA Voyage organisers take a chance on Docklands over other Melbourne locations and capital cities vying for the event.

Under the proposed deal, the pair said the council would contribute $10m of ratepayer funds in exchange for a percentage of ticket sale revenue to flow back to Town Hall coffers.

The hi-tech production features digital avatars of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, depicting the group as they appeared in 1979.

Arron Wood and Erin Deering are promising to help bring the ABBA virtual concert to Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

But Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos on Wednesday morning urged Mr Wood and other candidates to “stop promising things they can’t deliver”, as he hinted at ongoing negotiations between the state government and ABBA Voyage organisers.

“Lord mayor candidates are running around asking Melburnians to ‘take a chance on them’ but really they should stop promising things they can’t deliver,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“As the major events capital of this country, we’re always looking for major events to add tourism and jobs right through the Victorian economy. I think we’ve got a pretty good strike rate.”

Treasurer Tim Pallas confirmed the state government was in negotiations for the show, adding that the City of Melbourne was more than welcome to help with funding.

“If the City of Melbourne wants to give me $10m, it will be gratefully received,” he said.

“I’m very excited — big ABBA fan myself.”

Promoters have reportedly asked the state government to provide up to a third of the estimated $100m cost to host the groundbreaking concert in Melbourne, which includes building a purpose-built 3000-seat venue.

But the Herald Sun understands the parties are yet to ink a deal amid concerns about the state’s ability to afford the event as it grapples with skyrocketing debt.

It would cost about $100m to stage the show in Melbourne.

“When it comes to major events, The Winner Takes It All, and we want the winner to be Docklands and the City of Melbourne,” Mr Wood said.

“ABBA Voyage is one of the biggest shows on the planet and, if elected, we will co-invest with the Victorian government to bring the production to Docklands.

“There’s no doubt that Covid impacted Docklands particularly hard and bringing ABBA Voyage there will provide a huge economic boost to the restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes.”

Mr Wood and Ms Deering said the remaining $20m would need to be provided by the state and federal governments to get the deal over the line.

Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Showgrounds and Docklands have been mooted as potential locations for the show, with Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter also previously floated.

The hi-tech production features digital avatars of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Picture: Supplied

ABBA Voyage powerbrokers will visit Melbourne later this month to progress talks about staging the show in the country’s cultural capital.

“Melbourne is still in the game and a deal is still on the table,” a source said.

But insiders added: “Will they visit other cities? Maybe.”

If successful, Melbourne would be the first city in the world, outside London, to stage the Swedish supergroup spectacular.

The Herald Sun also revealed on Monday that Mr Wood and Ms Deering would, if elected, lead an ­“aggressive” campaign to entice more national and international events to Melbourne.

“We know more needs to be done to ensure Melbourne remains the nation’s events capital and that’s why we are taking a deliberate and targeted approach to bring the biggest and best events from across the globe to Melbourne,” Ms Deering said.

ABBA Voyage opened in London in May 2022 and, according to box office figures, sold more than 1.5 million tickets in its first 15 months.

The production, to be staged in East London until 2026, reportedly turns over $3m per week.

Melbourne would be the first city in the world, outside London, to stage the show.

Victorian Chamber of ­Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra has been urging stakeholders to make the deal happen.

“The state has a unique opportunity to land another major event that will deliver significant economic, social and reputational returns all year round,” he said.

“We should do everything we can to secure ABBA Voyage as we know ABBA is very keen to land their unique attraction in Melbourne.

“It will be another huge tourism and hospitality boost for our state.”

Committee for Melbourne chief executive Scott Veenker said the concert would be a “long-term and consistent” tourist attraction.

“The beauty of ABBA Voyage is that it’s not just a one-off show, it’s a multi-year, five-day-a-week production,” he said.

On Sunday, Lord Mayor Nick Reece announced he would create a seafood dining precinct alongside the Docklands foreshore to draw more locals and visitors to the area.

The lord mayoral race has now entered its final weeks, with voters required to post their ballots by October 25.

Originally published as Arron Wood takes a chance on Docklands with his $10m call to bring ABBA Voyage to Melbourne