‘Too big for the site’: Tasmanian AFL stadium should not be built, says independent planning commission
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Version 0 of 5. Proposed Macquarie Point venue a condition for state entering AFL in 2028, but report argues it would cause ‘unacceptable adverse impacts on Hobart’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Tasmania’s proposed AFL stadium shouldn’t be built, according to a damning planning report that says the “monolithic” project is too big for the site and not worth the cost. The state’s planning commission on Wednesday released its final report into the proposed $945m Macquarie Point venue, a condition for Tasmania entering the AFL in 2028. The report’s recommendation is not binding but could sway a parliamentary vote on whether to give the stadium the green light. The stadium would cause “irrevocable and unacceptable adverse impacts on Hobart’s spatial and landscape character, urban form and historic cultural heritage”, the report said. “It offers almost no scope for the site to become a vibrant active place that is attractive to visit outside of major event mode. “In very simple terms, the stadium is too big for the site and the benefits it will bring are significantly outweighed by the disbenefits it creates. The panel recommends that the project should not proceed.” The commission also found the construction and operation of the stadium would result in a “substantial net social cost” to the Tasmanian community. It estimates the government would need to accumulate $1bn in debt for construction costs, rising to $1.8bn over 10 years. The state Liberal government previously pledged to cap its contribution at $375m. Both the Liberals and Labor support the stadium, meaning it should pass the lower house. However, it faces a trickier path through the independent-dominated upper house, which the two major parties don’t control. Multiple independents are anti-stadium and several are on the fence. The waterfront stadium is one of Tasmania’s largest-ever infrastructure projects and has been divisive. Critics say the stadium isn’t needed given AFL is played at two existing venues. They have expressed doubts over the site’s suitability. They also argue it would add an unacceptable burden to the state’s already increasing budget debt. Building a roofed venue at the site was mandated by the AFL in negotiations with the Tasmanian government over the provision of the league’s 19th licence to the AFL-mad state. While some have argued for a renegotiation of the deal, the AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillon, is holding fast to the “no stadium, no team” mantra. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the project, the Devils have ploughed on with key moves, including recently announcing teams would enter the VFL and VFLW in 2026. |