New images show impact of stadium on views of Cenotaph

New architectural renderings of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium further show its impact on the Hobart Cenotaph.

Architects renders supplied to RSL Tasmania showing the proposed Macquarie Point AFL Stadium from the Hobart Cenotaph.

New architectural renderings of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium further reveal its impact on the Hobart Cenotaph.

The RSL has raised concerns about the proposed stadium blocking views of the Cenotaph to and from several important vantage points including to the Derwent Estuary, Battery Point and St Georges Church.

The RSL wrote to the Premier in July saying to destroy those views would be to “desecrate, humiliate and play little more than lip service to our sacred place.”

RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy said the new images confirmed what had been feared and the RSL’s position had not changed.

“All it’s probably done is confirm that, sadly, everything we said is true,” he said.

“It has destroyed the three sightlines, which is the thing that we’ve always said would be an issue for us.

“RSL Tasmania stands currently, as it voted over a year ago at our AGM to oppose Macquarie 1.0 but that doesn’t mean we’re not trying to work with the state government, because we absolutely are.”

The visual impact of the proposed design on the Cenotaph was unacceptable, Greens MP Vica Bayley said.

“Following months of requests, new image renders of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium provided by the government to RSL Tasmania are a vindication of the organisation’s concerns and show significant impacts on the Cenotaph’s values,” he said.

“Ever since the stadium was announced we’ve heard Liberal politicians dismissing the concerns raised by RSL Tasmania about the stadium — but these images clearly show there’s a major problem.”

Architects renders supplied to RSL Tasmania showing the proposed Macquarie Point AFL Stadium from the Hobart Cenotaph.

In state parliament on Tuesday, Veterans’ Affairs minister Guy Barnett said he was continuing to talk with the RSL about the stadium.

“I indicate that we have a meaningful and honouring relationship with RSL Tasmania and our veteran community, noting that there are many views in the veterans’ community about this major project,” he said.

“In terms of that render, that is a matter for the RSL. It has been provided to them in good faith.

“We will always honour and respect the 17,500 veterans in Tasmania.”

He accused the Greens of trying to stop the stadium.

“Your recent legislation, which is being put forward and tabled in this place for public consultation, is designed to kill the stadium.”

The Greens have unveiled a draft Bill which would ban any development which adversely impacted on the Hobart Cenotaph.

The legislation, if passed by state parliament, could prove to be an obstacle to the proposed stadium at the current proposed site.

Renders showing the impact of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium from the Hobart Cenotaph released by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

Originally published as New images show impact of stadium on views of Cenotaph