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The government is still working towards a 2033 completion date, as per its long-term infrastructure plan for several major projects, including a theatre, convention centre, indoor arena and a Civic pool.
But the Property Council of Australia has called on the government to make a new stadium a priority - or at the very least upgrade the existing Canberra Stadium to make it "fit for purpose".
Steel said a new stadium was down the infrastructure pecking order, but they still planned to build it.
That flies in the face of a growing concern in the Canberra sporting community, the government has given up because it's all too hard - and costly.
The government has been planning a new stadium for 16 years, but they still haven't settled on a location.
The Property Council of Australia will hold the "From Sidelines to Stadiums: The Future of Sporting Infrastructure" forum on Thursday, bringing together the likes of ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry, Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins and Property Council of Australia ACT executive director Ashlee Berry. ACT Treasurer Chris Steel, right, says a new stadium is still in the government's plans.
The Canberra Times revealed a $3.6 million buildingon the CIT Bruce campus appeared to rule out ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr's latest idea - of building at the old Canberra Raiders HQ on the corner of Haydon Dr and Battye St.
With the government's debt continuing to grow, there are concerns that Barr simply can't afford to build it.
Steel said they'd opted against cutting government services or any of their planned infrastructure programs.
But he said a new convention centre and new aquatic facility were priorities.
"We'll continue planning for a new stadium, but we've been clear in the budget that the priority is undertaking work on a new national convention centre," Steel said on Wednesday.
"We've got Commonwealth funding to do planning and design, and we're working with them on a new aquatic facility for the whole of the city.
"That's the priority.
"We're also continuing work on our infrastructure pipeline, which is about supporting economic growth, jobs and the growing population of Canberra."
But Property Council of Australia ACT executive director Ashlee Berry will call on the government to make a new stadium a priority.
Berry, who will speak at the council's From Sidelines to Stadiums: The Future of Sporting Infrastructureforum on Thursday, thinks a new stadium and convention centre should both be prioritised.
She warns not doing so risks limiting community wellbeing and economic growth.
"These are catalytic assets that will shape the identity and performance of our city for decades," Berry said.
"Sport is not a side issue. It's central to how we build healthy, connected and prosperous communities.
"With a fast-growing population, Canberra needs infrastructure that keeps pace - not just with housing and transport, but with the places that bring people together."
Berry thinks at the very least the government needs to significantly upgrade Canberra Stadium.
The stadium is almost 50 years old and is constantly plagued by ghastly smells in the bowels of the grandstands.
Thursday's forum will bring together key leaders like ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry, Australian Sports Commission chief executive Kieren Perkins and Cricket ACT chief executive Olivia Thornton to debate the challenges facing Canberra sport.
"If a new stadium isn't on the immediate horizon, the government must allocate sufficient funding to upgrade what we have and ensure our facilities are fit for purpose," Berry said.
"Sporting infrastructure is about more than games - it supports our economy, our health, and our sense of place."
I don’t see anything really promising in that.
