Project of State Significance Macquarie Point stadium hearings told of third stadium option

Scheduled hearings into the Macquarie Point stadium approval process has steamed ahead amid a potential early election — as discussion of a third stadium proposal emerges. LATEST >>

The proposed Macquarie Point Stadium at night. Picture supplied

The Tasmanian government has failed in a bid to adjourn scheduled Project of State Significance hearings into the Macquarie Point stadium approval process, after lawyers argued a potential early state election could impact alternative plans to pass so-called enabling legislation through parliament.

As both houses of the state’s legislature met to pass emergency budget bills ahead of Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s anticipated visit to Government House later on Tuesday, a Tasmanian Planning Commission panel convened an administrative meeting in Hobart ahead of public hearings set to begin on 25 June.

Lawyer Anthony Spence, representing the State of Tasmania, told the panel that with the government potentially heading into caretaker mode in coming days, his client sought a seven-day adjournment of the directions hearing.

But panel chair, Paul Turner SC, rejected the state’s application, saying there was no reason to adjourn the directions hearing, nor to vacate the hearing dates which begin later this month.

Mr Turner said the proponent was at liberty to approach the TPC with another adjournment request that contained detailed reasoning.

Meanwhile, the directions hearing has been told that a third stadium proposal could create a potential conflict of interest for an individual representor.

Jerry De Gryse, Landscape Architect. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Landscape architect, Jerry de Gryse, said he would attend the public hearings to speak to a personal representation made against the Mac Point proposal, but sought clarification from the panel regarding work done on a rival stadium concept.

“I have been involved in the preparation of a third option for a stadium, which has not been made publicly available, but has been promoted in the community by my client,” Mr de Gryse said.

Mr Turner said that any discussions about a potential conflict could be addressed at the hearing proper.

MORE TO COME.

Originally published as Project of State Significance Macquarie Point stadium hearings told of third stadium option