Poll shows majority oppose stadium Hobart’s Macquarie Point stadium build

Demands to abandon a new AFL stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point were made during a public rally drawing hundreds. But the government is holding strong.

Renders of Hobart's proposed Macquarie Point AFL Stadium. Picture: Macquarie Point Development Corporation

A public meeting of those opposed to the proposed Macquarie Point stadium has called on the state government to abandon the $715m project.

Around 350 people attended the meeting at Hobart Town Hall on Tuesday, with organisers My Place saying another 300 watched the livestream of proceedings.

The meeting came as fresh opinion polling showed majority of Tasmanians are against the stadium.

Organiser Roland Browne told the crowd the stadium was a “crazy project” and said it would be defeated by the weight of public opinion.

“We will not be silenced, we are angry. We have truth and reality and economics on our side. We will prevail,” he told the crowd.

Federal member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said he was strongly opposed to the stadium.

“The community does not want it, the community doesn’t need it, the community cannot afford it,” he said.

By show of hands, the meeting unanimously passed a motion calling on the state government to “immediately abandon its Macquarie Point Stadium proposal” and to renegotiate the team agreement with the AFL.

Public meeting of those opposed to the proposed Macquarie Point stadium on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Renowned Tasmania author Richard Flanagan told the meeting the stadium was “an immense folly” and said Premier Jeremy Rockliff should be in no doubt about the determination of those opposed.

“If you want a fight, bring it on,” he said. We will fight and we will fight and we will fight and we will win,” he said.

Senator Jacqui Lambie said the deal to build the stadium was done “over a few frothies” and was a waste of “our goddamn bloody money”.

“We can’t afford this. We don’t need this. We have a perfectly good venue at York Park,” she said, adding a special message for Premier Jeremy Rockliff

“When it comes to the stadium mate, you can stick it fair where it fits.”

Green deputy leader Vica Bayley and independent state MPs Craig Garland and Kristie Johnston also spoke at the rally.

Image from an anti-stadium rally at Hobart Town Hall on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Photos: Karen Brown Photography.

It came as an EMRS poll released on Tuesday morning revealed 59 per cent of those surveyed did not support the stadium plan, while 36 per cent were in favour and four per cent unsure.

Opposition to the stadium was strongest in the state’s north (67 per cent) and north-west (65 per cent) falling to 52 per cent in the south.

Men were more likely to support the stadium than women, with a 42 per cent support compared with 31 per cent.

The only age bracket which voiced majority support was those aged 24 to 34, with support falling off in older age groups and 74 per cent of those aged 70 and above opposed.

The survey of 1000 voters was carried out in the week from February 11.

Independent Senator Tammy Tyrrell said the result was to be expected.

“In news that surprises absolutely no one, Tasmanians don’t want a new stadium at Macquarie Point,” she said.

“It’s time for the Tasmanian Liberals to drop this pie in the sky idea and spend the money on something that Tassie actually needs.”

Liberal minister Felix Ellis said the government would not be dissuaded from its plan.

“Let’s be really clear, no stadium, no team,” he said.

“That’s why we need to deliver the stadium so that we can secure our very own team in the AFL.

“There’s also massive opportunity that comes from the major urban renewal of building a stadium at Macquarie Point.

“We’re talking thousands of jobs. We’re talking hundreds of apprenticeships, and we’re talking massive opportunities ongoing in tourism, hospitality and other sectors.”

Originally published as Poll shows majority oppose stadium Hobart’s Macquarie Point stadium build