Federal Group’s polling prompts costing concerns about Mac Point stadium and POSS process

The Federal Group wants the state government to rethink its proposed legislation to fast-track the Macquarie Point stadium. WHY THEY HAVE ENTERED THE FRAY >>>

Render of Hobart's proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium. Picture: Macquarie Point Development Corporation

One of Tasmania’s biggest employers, the Federal Group, has expressed concerns about the “uncertain and significant” cost of the Macquarie Point stadium after polling showed community opposition to fast-tracking the project.

The statewide EMRS polling, commissioned by Federal, also showed that of those polled more than two-thirds, or 70 per cent, were opposed to the state government spending more than its cap of $375m on the stadium.

Of the 878 Tasmanians polled in mid April, 50 per cent opposed the government withdrawing from the Project of State Significance process while 24 per cent supported the move.

It comes as the government announced this week that there would be no private investment in the stadium and the Macquarie Point Development Corporation would borrow cash and sell land to make up the shortfall, which is expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars.

Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Federal’s executive general manager, corporate and regulatory affairs, Dr Daniel Hanna said that the poll results should give the Tasmanian government pause for thought on their proposed fast-track stadium legislation.

“The results clearly demonstrate that Tasmanians hold concerns about this proposed stadium, especially the uncertain but significant costs,” he said.

“The proposed stadium is already a very divisive project, abandoning the Tasmanian Planning Commission process in favour of fast-track legislation will make that division even worse.

“Every developer in Tasmania must comply with the existing laws and processes, the Tasmanian community clearly wants the Tasmanian government to play by the same rules.

“The research supports the Tasmanian government reconsidering their position and continuing with the Tasmanian Planning Commission process.”

MACq 01 Hotel in Hobart. Photo: Supplied

Dr Hanna said the polling was commissioned to “inform” Federal’s submission to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which it has not made public.

“We wanted to understand the views of the Tasmanian population about issues related to the cost and process followed, and whether some of the concerns we have were more widely held,” he said.

“We have submitted a comprehensive submission to the Tasmanian Planning Commission that outlines our concerns about this proposed stadium.

“These concerns have been held for some time and nothing we have seen recently has reduced these concerns.

“Our concerns centre on the proposed location, the significant costs to the state budget, the process followed, and the lack of consultation from the proponent.

“Having said that, we strongly support Tasmania having its own AFL team.”

Render of proposed multipurpose Macquarie Point stadium. Picture: Supplied

The polling results show that 62 per cent believe the Opposition and independent MPs should oppose the fast-track legislation if the spending cap is breached.

Participants were asked if they agreed or disagreed with withdrawing from the POSS project, whether they agreed or disagreed that the Tasmanian government should spend more than its announced $375m and, if the government proposed to go beyond the spending cap of $375m, should the Opposition and independents oppose the special stadium legislation being introduced into parliament.

Federal employs about 2000 people and owns both the MACq 01 and Henry Jones Art Hotel near to the proposed stadium.

QUESTIONS FROM EMRS POLL ON MAC POINT STADIUM:

“The Tasmanian Government recently announced its decision to withdraw from the Tasmanian Planning Commission Projects of State Significance process. Do you agree or disagree with this decision?”

Strongly agree – 14%

Somewhat agree – 11%

Neutral – 14%

Somewhat disagree – 11%

Strongly disagree – 38%

NET Agree 24%; NET Disagree 50%

“Would you agree or disagree that the Tasmanian Government should spend more than its announced $375m?”

Strongly agree – 12%

Somewhat agree – 9%

Neutral – 8%

Somewhat disagree – 12%

Strongly disagree – 57%

NET Agree 21%; NET Disagree 70%

“In your opinion, if the Tasmanian government proposed to go beyond the spending cap of $375m should the Tasmanian opposition and independents oppose the special stadium legislation being introduced into parliament?”

Yes – 62%

No – 25%

Unsure – 13%

Originally published as Federal Group’s polling prompts costing concerns about Mac Point stadium and POSS process