Labor says $130m upgrade could shrink UTAS stadium capacity

Upgrades worth $130m at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium appeared to be reducing spectator capacity by around 2000 people, Labor said on Tuesday.

Concept designs of the proposed revamp to UTAS Stadium in Launceston. Picture: Supplied.

Upgrades worth $130m at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium appeared to be reducing maximum spectator capacity by around 2000 people, Labor said on Tuesday.

Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie asked Premier Jeremy Rockliff about the project in state parliament on Tuesday.

The government says the capacity on match days will increase from 15,600 to at least 17,600 on completion in early 2027.

Figures for the stadium’s current capacity vary from 15,000 according to AusStadiums to 19,500 according to the AFL and previously Stadiums Tasmania and 20,000 according to the Tasmanian State League.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The City of Launceston lists the stadium as a Tier 2 stadium, which means a capacity of between 20,000 and 40,000. Record attendance is 20,971 from a Richmond Hawks game in 2006.

Mr Rockliff said there had been a “venue capacity classification realignment with the Green Guide”.

“The Green Guide is the internationally recognised guide for the safe management of sports stadiums,” he told parliament.

“Stadiums Tasmania has advised the previously-used number of 19,500 capacity was closer to an occupancy permit number established several years ago.

“This number is based on toilet and exit provisions, and not the availability of safe viewing positions at the stadium.

“The Green Guide safe standing principles include a number of criteria and provisions across safe access and circulation, appropriate viewing standards, wheelchair provision, crush barrier arrangements, standing area, gradient and level standing.”

Mr Willie was not satisfied with the answer.

Labor member for Braddon Shane Broad with Labor member Clark Josh Willie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“After spending $130m on the redevelopment of UTAS stadium, spectator capacity will be reduced to 17,500,” Mr Willie said.

“How is it possible that after spending $130m, the stadium will hold fewer spectators than before?

“It’s yet another glaring failure from a government that continues to mismanage major infrastructure projects.

“This latest debacle comes from the same Minority Government responsible for the Spirits fiasco – the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history.

“With a $130mn budget, surely the Minority Liberal Government could come up with a design that didn’t reduce capacity while still managing to meet safety regulations.

“If Premier Rockliff can’t manage to handle a $130m redevelopment of UTAS stadium, how on earth is he going to be able to build an entire stadium from scratch?”

A 2021 plan to spend $208m to increase the capacity of the ground to 27,500 did not come to fruition.

Originally published as Labor says $130m upgrade could shrink UTAS stadium capacity