Premier Jeremy Rockliff flags stadium bill timeline

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has given his clearest hint yet about the timing of special legislation to approve the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

Macquarie Point Multipurpose stadium south east gate. Picture: Mac Point Development Corporation

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has given his clearest hint yet about the timing of special legislation to approve the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

The stadium is being assessed as a Project of State Significance by the Tasmanian Planning Commission but Mr Rockliff said the timeline for delivering the stadium is tight.

He says parliament will have the final say, no matter what process he chooses.

Public comment on the TPC’s Draft Integrated Assessment report is open until May 8.

Mr Rockliff said he supported the process continuing until then.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Question time in the house of assembly. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We’re in the project of state significance process right now,” he said.

“I’ve been very open and transparent around enabling legislation, because we’ve got a very strict timeline.

“We’ve got to get this done to a very strict timeline.

“I’m considering my options, but I guarantee you this: the submissions due on May the 8th will be taken account of irrespective of the PoSS process or an enabling legislation process.”

Speeding up the approval process would give the government two likely sitting weeks — beginning May 27 and June 3 — to introduce enabling legislation through parliament to head off public hearings before the Planning Commission.

May 27 is budget week, but is after May 24’s Legislative Council elections, which could potentially strengthen the government’s hand in the upper house.

Under the deal signed with the AFL, the state government is required to have all relevant planning approvals in place for the stadium by June 30 and funds allocated by September 30.

Up to four weeks of public hearings on the project are currently scheduled to begin on June 30, with a final Integrated Assessment report due by September 17.

Labor says it will back the government unconditionally to deliver the stadium, and the AFL team.

Greens member for Clark Helen Burnet said she was concerned.

“The Premier said in parliament that public submissions already being made would be noted. But he conspicuously avoided mentioning public hearings at all,” she said.

“Reading between the lines, it looks like those hearings will never go ahead, with the stadium pulled out of the PoSS process beforehand.

“Avoiding public hearings would mark a new low in the life of this contentious project.”

Independent MP Kristie Johnston said that rather than abandoning the planning process, the government should renegotiate the contact with the AFL.

“[The Premier] simply does not want to canvass the option of renegotiating the deal.

“He has failed to seek and will not seek advice on renegotiating the deals.

“This is leaving Tasmanians high and dry.”

Originally published as Premier Jeremy Rockliff flags stadium bill timeline