The NSW government has been given the green light to begin knocking down Sydney Football Stadium before the 2019 March election.
The Department of Planning and Environment on Friday approved the first stage of the venue's $730 million redevelopment in Moore Park.
The approval includes a number of conditions, including the establishment of a community consultative committee before any heavy demolition starts.
The state government confirmed on Friday that Lendlease will build the new stadium, with work to start in January. It's expected to be completed by early 2022.
"We are delivering world class stadiums for the people of NSW," Sport Minister Stuart Ayres told reporters in Sydney.
"We are not going to stop and slow down building critical infrastructure because there's an election around the corner."
NSW opposition leader Michael Daley accused the government of rushing into a "bad decision" by awarding the contract before the election.
If Labor is elected into government Mr Daley said he will re-negotiate the contract so NSW taxpayers don't pay for the redevelopment.
Instead, he will offer a loan to a private group or the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust to rebuild it.
"I will not be bullied or intimidated into a bad decision," Mr Daley told reporters.
"You will not pay a single cent for the redevelopment of the stadium."
Australian Associated Press
