David O’Byrne doubles down on Macquarie Point stadium support in wake of critical Gruen report
David O’Byrne has doubled down on his support for the proposed multi-purpose stadium for Macquarie Point, and cast doubt on the principles underpinning the recently published Gruen report.
Tasmania
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Powerful independent MP, David O’Byrne, has doubled down on his support for the Tasmanian government’s proposed multi-purpose stadium for Macquarie Point, casting doubt on the economic principles underpinning the recently published Gruen report, and extolling the project’s future social and economic benefits for the state.
Writing in Tuesday’s Mercury, the football-loving member for Franklin said although he would not be offering the government a blank cheque to build the future home of the Tasmanian Devils, his support for the stadium came “with a dose of realism” on cost.
“Can anyone name an infrastructure project that has not been under-costed in Australia in the last 30 years?,” Mr O’Byrne writes.
“Impacts on state budget are real, agreed. But in this matter we do not have the luxury of time.
“The opportunity is now. If we lose it, we will not only lose our club but also the massive economic uplift that the facility will bring.”
Dr Nicholas Gruen’s report on the Macquarie Point stadium, commissioned by the government as part of its confidence and supply agreement with the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN), found the project was likely to cost in excess of $1 billion, was sited at an inappropriate location, and had an “unrealistic” timeline for delivery.
As Premier Jeremy Rockliff returned to the post-holiday media fray on Monday to confirm his government would contribute no more than $375 million towards the stadium, Mr O’Byrne and independent member for Bass, Rebekah Pentland, both called on the government to renegotiate the original construction deadlines signed with the AFL.
“Clearly the intent must be there to build a facility that will house a team and set it up to success and also create massive economic opportunity in terms of the conventions and conferences market,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“But my major concern is the politics that’s being played around a hard dollar figure on the stadium’s final cost may mean that the design process is compromised and we may not get the facility that we deserve.”
Former JLN member, Ms Pentland, said she welcomed Premier Rockliff “coming out of the shadows” on the stadium issue following the release of the Gruen report, and urged the government to renegotiate a fairer outcome with the AFL.
“Dr Gruen found that this was a one-sided deal, and the report gives us the opportunity to revisit the deal and come up with something that is fairer for Tasmania,” Ms Pentland said.
“I also think the ongoing support of the AFL needs to be looked at.
“We deserve a team, and they need to do what’s right.
“If there is a funding shortfall with the stadium, the AFL should be diving in and helping out.”
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