Tas govt to bypass planning system to green light Mac Point

The state government has confirmed it will bypass the state’s planning system in order to green light the Mac Point stadium. See how it plans to push the project ahead.

Jacqui Lambie has hit back at the AFL over a proposed Tasmanian stadium, telling them to “stick it”. The independent Tasmanian Senator slammed the government over the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium in Hobart, saying “it is not viable.” “The state government needs to go and tell the AFL where to stick it right now and tell them it's not going to play the game,” she said on Monday. Picture: Supplied

The state government has confirmed it will bypass Tasmania’s planning system in a sensational bid to green light the Macquarie Point stadium after two independent reports cast doubt on the estimated costs and benefits of the project.

Under an agreement signed between the government and the AFL, a roofed stadium must be built at Macquarie Point in order for Tasmania to finally be granted a team in the national competition.

The government originally declared the stadium a Project of State Significance (POSS), meaning the development would not be assessed by the local council but instead by the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC).

The POSS process would have involved the stadium being brought to a vote in both houses of parliament after the TPC handed down its final report in September.

Macquarie Point multipurpose stadium south west gate. Picture: Mac Point Development Corporation

While the commission’s recommendations will be non-binding, some parliamentarians who are on the fence about the project may have used the report to help determine how they would vote.

But now Premier Jeremy Rockliff appears set on forcing the parliament to make a decision before the TPC publishes its conclusive findings, confirming to the Mercury that the government will introduce special legislation to fast-track the stadium, which has been estimated to cost $775m to build.

In a statement, Mr Rockliff said Tasmania “cannot afford not to deliver this project and we cannot afford delays”.

“It has become clear over the last week that the current process is undermining certainty and confidence in the future of the [Macquarie Point] precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club, impacting construction, recruitment and economic prospects,” he said.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff at Macquarie point with aspiring Devils, Daisy Hollick, 7, Toby Hollick, 5, Lakeyn Millhouse, 5, Billy Millhouse 9, and Parker Millhouse, 3. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Rockliff said every member of parliament would still get a chance to “have their say” on the stadium following the introduction of bespoke legislation “just as they would have through the POSS”.

The move comes after economist Dr Nicholas Gruen released an independent report that found the stadium could actually cost $1.4bn and that its benefits had been “overstated”.

The TPC’s draft integrated assessment report, released late last month, said the costs of the project were “approximately double its estimated benefits”. The panel also took issue with the “overbearing” form of the stadium and raised concerns about a lack of transport planning as part of the development.

The Tasmania Devils will enter the AFL in 2028 and the stadium is expected to be completed by 2029, provided it secures the approval of both houses of parliament.

The government has the required numbers to pass the stadium through the lower house with Labor’s support for the project. However, it isn’t necessarily guaranteed to win the backing of the Legislative Council, where the Liberals will also need the support of two independents.

The new stadium legislation is set to be released for public consultation in May.

Doctor Nicholas Gruen. Independent review of Macquarie Point Stadium Report by Doctor Nicholas Gruen committee hearing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The government has emphatically dismissed both Dr Gruen and the TPC’s findings, with Mr Rockliff saying on Thursday that he “no longer has faith” in either report.

It was revealed last week that Dr Gruen had not initially disclosed that he met anti-stadium campaigners before being appointed to undertake the review, which led Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz to declare that the economist’s report had been “tainted by an apprehension of bias”.

Dr Gruen said he missed recording some meetings with stakeholders when the report was first published and so subsequently updated and published the omissions online. He has defended his independence and said it was “unremarkable” and “expected” for reviewers to consult stakeholders with “strong and diverse views”.

Originally published as Tas govt to bypass planning system to green light Mac Point