Key Takeaways:
- The Tasmanian upper house has approved the construction of a $1.13 billion, 23,000-seat stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
- The stadium is a key part of the state’s bid to enter the Australian Football League (AFL) competition.
- The project has been the subject of controversy and debate, with concerns raised about its impact on the economy, city planning, and Aboriginal heritage.
- The stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2029 men’s AFL season, with the Tasmania Devils entering the competition in 2028.
- The project will now move forward, with the state-owned Macquarie Point Development Corporation seeking a head construction contractor by the end of 2026.
Introduction to the Stadium Approval
The Tasmanian upper house has given its final approval for the construction of a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, with the vote passing 9-5 in favor of the project. The stadium, which is expected to cost $1.13 billion, is a key part of the state’s bid to enter the Australian Football League (AFL) competition. The approval marks the end of a long and contentious process, with the project having been the subject of debate and controversy for several years.
The Voting Process
The voting process was a lengthy one, with the debate in the upper house stretching over two days. Fourteen members spoke in the first round of debate, with independent Meg Webb starting her speech against the project at 11pm and finishing at 2:37am the following day. The members returned at 11am the next day to go through the stadium order, clause by clause, with the vote finally taking place at 11pm. The ‘yes’ votes were cast by Bec Thomas, Dean Harriss, Ruth Forrest, Casey Hiscutt, Mike Gaffney, Tania Rattray, Rosemary Armitage, Nick Duigan, and the ‘no’ votes were cast by Meg Webb, Cassy O’Connor, Jo Palmer, Kerry Vincent, Luke Edmunds, and Sarah Lovell.
Concerns and Controversy
Despite the approval, there are still concerns about the project, with many questioning the lack of confirmed detail on how events will be managed, how pedestrian infrastructure will be implemented, and how Aboriginal heritage will be protected. Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor asked many questions during the scrutiny of the stadium order, and independent Tania Rattray, the government leader in the Legislative Council, provided the government’s responses. There were also tense exchanges between independent Bec Thomas and Cassy O’Connor, with Thomas taking exception to O’Connor’s comments about her absence from the chamber.
Background and History
The stadium project has been a divisive issue in Tasmania for several years, with the location of the proposed stadium being changed from Regatta Point to Macquarie Point. The project was declared a Project of State Significance, and laws were changed to ensure parliament had the final vote. A Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) panel assessed the stadium, and its draft report was scathing, but the government chose to bypass the process by using specific stadium legislation. A snap state election was called over state budget concerns, and the TPC process continued, with the final report recommending against the stadium on a range of grounds.
Next Steps
Now that the stadium has been approved, the proponent, state-owned Macquarie Point Development Corporation, will seek a head construction contractor by the end of 2026. The stadium is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2029 men’s AFL season, while the Tasmania Devils will enter the AFL in 2028 and play at least its first season at Bellerive Oval and York Park. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s economy and sporting landscape, and its approval marks an important milestone in Tasmania’s bid to enter the AFL competition.