Orchestrating a fight: Hobart AFL stadium finds another opponent in Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Hobart’s controversial AFL stadium has another opponent: the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, which fears it poses an existential threat to one of the world’s best small orchestras.

An artist’s impression of Hobart’s proposed AFL stadium.

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra has joined opposition to Hobart’s AFL stadium, saying noise from the 23,000-seat arena will have a “terrible” impact, threatening the renowned orchestra’s viability.

TSO chief executive Caroline Sharpen on Thursday joined the Returned and Services League, along with some business and community leaders, in calling for a rethink of the stadium’s proposed location.

‘We’re certain there must be a less terrible location for our new stadium,” Ms Sharpen said. “Surely, there is a spot that does not compromise our state concert hall, our Cenotaph and war memorial, and the famous maritime heritage of our waterfront.

“We’re yet to find another example of a government anywhere in the world prepared to build a 23,000-seat stadium, 170m from the perimeter of their state performing arts centre.”

Ms Sharpen said noise from games and events from the nearby stadium would “compromise” TSO concerts at the nearby Federation Concert Hall, but that such concerns had been repeatedly ignored by government.

“Concerns about the impact of the stadium location on the orchestra’s viability appear to have fallen on deaf ears, despite the TSO’s extensive participation through official channels and Project of State Significance (planning) processes,” she said.

“Despite our best endeavours, we remain unprotected by any legislation governing noise emissions.”

While TSO musicians, staff, and board all backed a new stadium for the state’s promised Devils AFL team, they wanted a ‘common sense rethink’ of the proposed site in the heart of Macquarie Point.

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra chief executive Caroline Sharpen. Picture: Keith Saunders Photography

Ms Sharpen said the site – also bitterly opposed by the RSL, which feels it would desecrate the Cenotaph by overshadowing the memorial and destroying key sight lines – would “sacrifice too many of the landmarks the state has worked hard to achieve and preserve”.

The RSL and key business and community leaders have called on the government to consider an alternative proposal for mostly reclaimed land south of the Regatta Grounds, put forward by a private consortia dubbed “stadium 2.0”.

Tasmania’s Liberal minority government has rejected this push, despite the 2.0 proposal including more money-making elements, including a private hospital and extensive housing, and less opposition.

The government has committed to the stadium as a key condition of the Devils’ obtaining the AFL’s 19th licence and joining the competition in 2028.

Its stadium, recently revealed to cost at least $830m, has divided Tasmania, with strong support among footy fans but opposition from those concerned about the cost and location.

The government claims to have capped state taxpayer expenditure at $375m, in addition to $240m from the Albanese government and $15m from the AFL. It claims the shortfall will come from the private sector.

Opponents fear the shortfall, and further cost blowouts, will be met by taxpayers, despite burgeoning state debt, either directly or through the state-owned developer, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

The state government said it “values the views of the TSO and RSL Tasmania”.

“The Project of State Significance assessment will include public consultation and opportunities for input from key stakeholders, including the TSO and RSL,” a spokeswoman said.

“Stadiums Tasmania will work closely with Mac Point’s neighbours, including the TSO, regarding scheduling. Event planning occurs well in advance, and we’ll continue to work with the TSO to minimise impact on key events.

“We remain committed to ongoing engagement with the RSL and the wider veteran community, not only through the design phase of the precinct but also more broadly on how we can further support veterans.”