Hobart’s Macquarie Point AFL stadium: New design shows events and business hub

Further details have emerged of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium, which has been welcomed by the tourism and hospitality sector. Take a closer look here >>

Business and tourism industry welcome plans for the western stand of the proposed Mac Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

A 1500-capacity conference centre attached to the proposed Macquarie Point stadium could “transform” the hospitality sector, industry leaders say, as new concept drawings were released to the public.

The fresh renders released on Friday depict the conference facilities located behind the western stand, with moveable walls to accommodate different groups and over-sized windows taking in a “culturally informed zone” outside.

Business and tourism industry welcome plans for the western stand of the proposed Mac Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

The proposed $715m stadium at Macquarie Point has been dogged by controversy, with opponents calling the proposal a “monstrosity” that would desecrate the cultural and architectural heritage of Hobart, as well as bowing to powerful corporations such as the AFL.

But Business Events Tasmania CEO Marnie Craig said the stadium and conference facility had the potential to significantly boost the tourism and hospitality sectors in Hobart and across Tasmania, particularly in the quiet winter months and mid-week.

Ms Craig estimated the new facilities could attract an additional 110 conferences to Hobart and an extra 140,000 visitors. The annual revenue possibilities for such growth were in excess of $100m, she said.

Currently the largest conference centre is housed within the Hotel Grand Chancellor, which has a capacity of 1100, with Hobart hosting 150 conferences annually.

“The precinct and its location to hotels and other hospitality businesses in Hobart is fantastic, and it will mean that the business delegates will disperse across the city,” Ms Craig said.

Paul Jubb is the licensee of the Customs House Hotel and a Tasmanian Hospitality Association board member. He said the demand on the hospitality sector from a large conference centre could be so great that workers may have to be brought in from interstate.

“This would really give some hope to the hospitality sector,” said Mr Jubb.

Business and tourism industry welcome plans for the western stand of the proposed Mac Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

“I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for the state. Any increase in economic activity will lead to an increase for our state-wide hospitality venues, so we’re very much looking forward to it.”

But Roland Browne, who is a spokesperson for the stadium opposition group Our Place, disputes that the stadium will have the economic impact that has been purported.

“The promotion that the stadium will boost tourism is ironic; the stadium will downgrade some of Hobarts iconic hotels such as Henry Jones and Mac1. None of that has been factored into the so-called “tourism boost”” he said.

The “drip-feed” of renders, images and drawings of the proposed stadium were part of a PR strategy that used “unsubstantiated” and “exaggerated” figures, Mr Browne said.

“A fancy image will not placate a community troubled by the impacts of the stadium on Hobart’s heritage, on the Cenotaph, and on the budget. Tasmania cannot afford this stadium.”

Despite strident and ongoing opposition to the proposed stadium the state government remain supportive.

At a media conference on Friday, Minister for state government Guy Barnett doubled down on their commitment to the project, saying it would “grow our economy, deliver opportunities for further investment and particularly jobs – thousands of jobs”.

A new roofed, 23,000-seat Hobart stadium is a condition agreed between the AFL and Tasmania for the 19th licence for a team in the competition.

Australian firm Cox Architecture was awarded a $37.9m contract as lead architect in early May.