Tasmania Government approve to build $1bn stadium for 19th AFL club

The AFL’s expansion into Tasmania has been given the green light after the construction of a new stadium received the votes to go ahead.

Tasmanian parliament will approve the construction of the $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, allowing the Tasmania Devils to become the AFL’s 19th club.

Key independents Bec Thomas, Casey Hiscutt and Tania Rattray confirmed on Wednesday they would vote in favour of constructing the 23,000-seat roofed stadium after months of concerns over the rising cost of the build, and whether the Apple Isle could afford it.

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It will allow the Devils to go ahead and join the AFL from 2028, playing in the stadium from 2029.

The stadium is also intended to be used for cricket and other major sports, and could become the first indoor venue to host a Test match.

With eight votes required in the 15-person Legislative Council, the pro-stadium camp already included three Liberals and three from Labor including upper house president Craig Farrell.

Aerial render of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

He serves as the tiebreaker and is traditionally required to vote no on tied votes, but Thomas, Rattray and Hiscutt have spoken in parliament saying they will vote yes, ensuring the vote will pass.

“I will be supporting this order and the future of our state,” Hiscutt said.

“My decision goes beyond the statements, beyond the reports, beyond the spreadsheets.

“It goes beyond the fear of the unknown and the unease of change.”

The upper house will debate the stadium over Wednesday and Thursday, depending on how long MLCs speak, with the final vote likely to occur late on Thursday.

Thomas’ approval of the stadium has come contingent on the government committing to “safeguards” including a fixed cost cap on the state’s contribution of $875 million, independent watchdogs and experts, additional grassroots sport funding and targets for local jobs.

“With all my heart I have wanted to support this project,” she said.

“But I remain deeply aware of the community’s mixed feelings about it. Many Tasmanians are worried about the cost, location, and whether the benefits will truly flow to local people. Those concerns are valid.

“All the public focus has been on who will back the stadium. For me, the question has been under what conditions could it possibly earn support. That’s why my support for the project is strictly conditional on economic, governance, design and community safeguards that seek to protect the welfare of Tasmanians.”

The AFL has consistently declared without the new stadium the Devils would not go ahead.

It’s expected the league will now consider options for a 20th team, with Canberra, the Northern Territory and a third WA side the leading contenders.

Originally published as Tasmania Government approve to build $1bn stadium for 19th AFL club