Moves to limit impact on stadium during rock concert - ABC Online

Posted January 17, 2013 12:50:04

Hunter Venues says conditions have been put in place to ensure the playing surface at Hunter stadium is not damaged during a rock concert in March.

Gun N' Roses is touring Australia and will play a mid week concert at the stadium, with support artists ZZ Top and Rose Tattoo.

In 2010, a motocross event at the stadium caused significant damage to the playing surface, impacting Newcastle Jets games.

But Hunter Venues General Manager Bicci Henderson says the stage will be constructed on the hill reducing the potential for damage.

"If you were to put a heavy stage on where the players play, but we're putting that into the hill and it means that all that we have on the pitch are people," he said.

"And there's requirements to cover at least 50 per cent of the pitch with approved surface covering that won't impact on the surface."

Mr Henderson says the local stadium could be an alternative to the vineyards for major concerts in the region.

He says the stadium and its surrounds has more to offer than the vineyards.

"The vineyards are fantastic, there's some great set-ups there," he said.

"But it is a little harder to get to, you've got portable toilets, you've got a lot of portable set-up.

"We certainly have better infrastructure for 30,000 people."

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, music-industry, newcastle-2300