Former Premier Paul Lennon makes plea to MPs on stadium and Cenotaph sight lines

Paul Lennon has again entered the political fray writing to all Tasmanian MPs about the impact of the proposed Mac Point stadium on the Hobart Cenotaph. Find out what he said.

$2.3 billion precinct-scale urban renewal project, including roofed AFL stadium, for Hobart. Stakeholder relations Paul Lennon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Former Labor Premier Paul Lennon has written to all Tasmanian MPs about the impact on the Hobart Cenotaph sight lines from the two stadiums proposed for Macquarie Point.

In an email titled ‘Stadiums 1.0 and 2.0 – Cenotaph sight line impact comparison’ he points out that Mac Point 2.0, which has been rejected by the government, “does not impact any of the Cenotaph sight lines”.

Mr Lennon, who is head of stakeholder relations for the Stadia Precinct Consortia, said the consortium had had further talks with the RSL after RSL Tasmania announced they wanted parliament to legislate to protect the critical sight lines for the Cenotaph as identified in the Sullivans Cove planning scheme.

“We are pleased to inform you that stadium 2.0 does not impact any of the Cenotaph sight lines (diagram attached),” he wrote to MPs

“Following our most recent consultations, RSL Tasmania has provided us a letter dated 25 June confirming their unanimous support for our stadium proposal.

Royal Hobart Regatta Association President Ross Doddridge OAM and RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I am providing this information to all members of parliament so as to let you know that there is a viable pathway that enables the parliament to protect the Cenotaph in legislation and for a world class community and entertainment precinct to be built that can house a stadium that meets all of the AFL criteria (ie; a roofed stadium with a minimum of 23,000 seats at Macquarie Pt) as well as other very important community and commercial infrastructure including, social and affordable housing, carparking, a new private hospital and a hotel and convention centre complex.

“In doing so, I note that the CEO of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation acknowledged publicly for the first time last week that their stadium proposal at Evans St would block critical sight lines from the Cenotaph.

“The diagram I have attached confirms this fact.”

The Corporation is expected to this week release the design for Mac Point 1.0 and declined to comment on Mr Lennon’s letter sent on Friday.

At a recent hearing of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Corporation CEO Anne Beach said the corporation had worked with the RSL and “minimising the impact on them has been a fundamental element of the design of the stadium”.

“The Cenotaph is one of a number of sensitive users,” she told the hearing.

Mr Lennon said the government’s planned stadium most likely cause extensive shadowing over much of the existing buildings in Hunter and Evans Streets.

“Quite possibly the stadium will completely block the sunlight from some of these buildings putting them in permanent shade,” he said.

“The onus is on the MPDC to transparently engage with members of parliament and the wider public so that there can be a proper understanding of impact that the height and bulk of the Evans stadium will have on the surrounding buildings and the historic waterfront as well as the Cenotaph.”

Mr Lennon said the Stadium 2.0 Consortia was close to finalising a comprehensive submission to the government which would include “costings and details of our financial partner”.