Supporters of Macquarie Point stadium hit streets for election day marches in Hobart, Launceston
Supporters of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium made their voices heard at both the ballot box and in the streets on Saturday, coming out in force to spruik the potential virtues of the project.
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Supporters of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium hit the pavement in Hobart and Launceston on Saturday as they marched for the Tasmania Devils AFL team, endeavouring to have their voices heard on the streets, as well as at the ballot box.
Organisers of the march in the South said about 2000 people trudged from Hobart Football Club to North Hobart Oval, decked out in Devils gear and brandishing signs extolling the virtues of the stadium.
It came as Tasmania’s men’s and women’s senior representative sides faced off against NSW/ACT at the storeyed ground.
Organised by the Yes AFL Team, Yes Stadium group, the Hobart march occurred against the backdrop of the state election, which has thrown the $945m stadium project — and therefore the Devils — under a cloud of uncertainty.
Mark Brown, the creator of Yes AFL Team, Yes Stadium, said the turnout at the Hobart march had “exceeded my expectations”.
“I think it sends a message that the silent majority are now speaking up,” he said.
Mr Brown said he was feeling “nervous” about the election results but believed the stadium would go ahead “regardless” of the make-up of the new parliament.
The Greens have run a vehemently anti-stadium election campaign, with leader Rosalie Woodruff saying on the eve of polling day that voters had “overwhelmingly” expressed their opposition to the project when speaking to doorknocking candidates.
“They want the money to go into health and housing, they want us to protect the environment. People have been talking to the Greens about these issues non-stop for the last six weeks,” she said on Friday.
The Greens believe the cost of the Macquarie Point proposal will easily top $1bn and the party has vowed to continue opposing the stadium at every turn in the new parliament.
Independent Franklin MP David O’Byrne, an ardent backer of the project, said the enthusiasm on display from the marchers was impressive.
“To have so many people do that on a day such as this is quite an important statement in my view, and it echoes what I’ve been hearing around various communities and sporting clubs,” he said.
In the state’s North, stadium supporters gathered at the Invermay Bowls Club, which neighbours York Park.
People were already flocking to the area for the Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide match on Saturday.
Organiser Jason Smith said the bitterly cold day showed just why the new stadium in Hobart needed a roof.
“We’re trying to show some support for the stadium, there is a lot of negativity,” he said.
Mr Smith said he often travels to see AFL matches and has friends who do the same.
“The ability to be able to do that at home, just drive to Hobart, I think the state deserves it,” he said.
Mum and son, Tamara and Lachie Lowe, 14, were having a drink together ahead of the walk to the stadium, proudly decked out in Tasmania Devils merch.
Lachie said he was looking forward to watching sport and seeing concerts at the potential Macquarie Point stadium.
“It will be really good for the state and it would provide lots of opportunities,” he said.
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