UPDATE: The Tasmanian government is intensifying its campaign for a groundbreaking vote on the controversial $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium, which is crucial for the state’s entry into the AFL and AFLW in 2028. With a critical parliamentary vote approaching in November 2023, officials warn that failure to proceed with the stadium could result in “immense reputational damage” to Tasmania.
The urgency escalates as the government responds to a scathing report from the state planning commission that recommended halting the stadium project. The commission’s analysis indicated that the stadium’s costs outweigh its benefits, deeming it “too big for the site” and detrimental to the area’s heritage. Despite this, the government insists that the potential jobs and economic growth generated by the stadium are invaluable.
“To walk away now would be to walk away from so much more than just a stadium,” the government stated in its response. The Liberals, unwavering in their stance, reaffirmed their commitment to the project, emphasizing that the stadium is more than a sporting venue—it’s a lifeline for future opportunities in Tasmania.
The Labor opposition has pledged its support, which is expected to ensure the proposal passes the lower house. However, the upper house presents a more challenging landscape, requiring the backing of three out of eight independents. Independent Bec Thomas remains undecided, seeking more clarity on the stadium’s costs and funding plans, while also emphasizing the need for investment in grassroots sports facilities.
“It’s a big decision with significant impacts either way, and I appreciate people’s patience as I form my view,” Thomas stated.
Meanwhile, independent Ruth Forrest has expressed skepticism about the project, calling for further details on the associated infrastructure costs. “I support the team, I support the need for a new stadium but at the right time, right place, right cost,” she said, reflecting the concerns of many who question the financial implications.
The government has drafted an order to approve the stadium, which cannot be altered once submitted to parliament. Officials dismissed the commission’s cost-benefit analysis, which indicated that for every $1 spent, the direct benefits would be less than $0.50. They argue that the stadium would create jobs, attract investment, and foster community pride—benefits that are difficult to quantify.
The commission warned that the state would incur $1 billion in debt for construction, projected to soar to $1.8 billion over the next decade. However, Urban Renewal Minister Eric Abetz insists that the debt can be managed, stating it will be accounted for in future budgets. “The team itself says it needs a new stadium for it to succeed on and off the field,” Abetz stated.
Critics, including the Greens and anti-stadium group Our Place Hobart, have labeled the government’s campaign as mere propaganda, reiterating the same arguments that the commission previously rejected. Acting Greens leader Vica Bayley criticized the government’s failure to clarify funding sources, stressing that Tasmanians are already grappling with underfunded health and housing services.
The push for the stadium is not just a matter of sports; it embodies the future economic landscape of Tasmania. As the vote approaches, the debate intensifies over what this project means for the state’s identity and legacy.
What happens next is critical. All eyes will be on the independents in the upper house as they deliberate the fate of the Macquarie Point stadium. As the government urges swift action, the community waits anxiously, knowing that their future opportunities hang in the balance.
