Macquarie Point Stadium designs are 12 months away as precinct draft plan revealed

When the Macquarie Point Precinct plans were released, there was one big design missing, and it looks like it could be quite the wait before it’s revealed. Latest.

Artist's impression of the residential development and public foreshore at Macquarie Point.

It will be at least 12 months before Tasmanians get to see a design for the proposed $715m stadium at Macquarie Point.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has released the 36 page draft Precinct Plan for the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal project but there are no images for the stadium.

Instead the precinct plan has photos of the SoFi stadium, a 70,240-seat sports and entertainment indoor stadium in California and the Sydney Football Stadium and Optus Stadium in Perth.

The precinct comprises the Macquarie Point site including crown land at Regatta Point, Macquarie Wharf and Huon Quays and has nine separate zones.

It includes an Aboriginal Culturally Informed Zone, described as “front face of the site”, next to the stadium and says more discussions are needed with the Aboriginal community after a Truth and Reconciliation Park was proposed in 2021.

Macquarie Point Precinct Plan map

Mr Rockliff said the precinct plan “has been a long time coming” but was another step forward toward the AFL and AFLW “dream”.

He said it was important to “move forward” with the design process for the area which were first mooted in 2012.

“Clearly the stadium fits and it’s the catalyst for other investment as well,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We expect that over the next 12 months, there’ll be considerable input into the design of the stadium itself.

“We want something to be truly iconic and reflects Tasmania and that’s another exciting step forward and another stage where we go to the actual design stage of the stadium itself.”

Hobart, Tasmania. Sunday 15th October 2023. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff announces new plans for the Macquarie Point Development. Picture: Linda Higginson

Labor lambasted the concept plan describing it as “pretty pictures but no detail”.

Labor treasury spokesman Dr Shane Broad said the release of the precinct plan showed “that once again Mr Rockliff and the Liberals simply haven’t done the work”.

“Instead of providing any answers, the precinct plan just raises more questions,” he said.

“There are no designs, no indication of how any of this will be paid for, and it’s clear they’ve still got serious issues with key stakeholders like the RSL and the Aboriginal community.

“If artist impressions are best the Liberals could manage after 18 months and millions of dollars being spent on consultants, I think Tasmanians are right to be sceptical about Jeremy Rockliff’s ability to deliver what he’s promised.”

Greens infrastructure spokesman Vica Bayley was also scathing saying the plan was “nothing more than expensive propaganda for their unpopular and unnecessary planned stadium”.

“This precinct plan is just another glossy piece of the Premier’s stadium propaganda,” he said.

Greens MP Vica Bayley speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns.

“While there’s artists’ impressions of many elements, it’s silent on the size and bulk of the stadium and impacts on important values like the Cenotaph, streetscapes and waterfront viewpoints.

“In a cost of living crisis and with a profound lack of public investment in health, housing, public transport and action on tackling climate change, the Premier owes Tasmanians transparency on how much the stadium will really cost and where the money will come from.”

Mr Rockliff will this week introduce an order for the proposed stadium to be declared a Project of State Significance.

FIRST LOOK: Mac Point Precinct designs revealed

October 15, 5am

The long-awaited draft precinct plan for Macquarie Point, described as a “once-in-a-generation” infrastructure project, has been unveiled.

It includes the proposed multipurpose stadium but as yet there are no detailed plans for the stadium which will be home to Tasmania’s AFL/AFLW team.

The release of the precinct plan comes as Premier and State Development Minister Jeremy Rockliff revealed that an order for the stadium to be declared a Project of State Significance will be tabled in Parliament this week.

The Macquarie Point Urban Renewal project, which includes a residential development, has already received backing from the federal government and will create thousands of jobs.

Mr Rockliff said the draft plan showed Macquarie Point would be an integrated, vibrant and exciting region for all Tasmanians to experience.

“The precinct will be a place to share and celebrate our history, enjoy the foreshore, conduct business, and bring together visitors and the community alike,” he said.

Artist's impression of Evans Street, looking west, as part of the Macquarie Point precinct draft plan. Pic supplied by state government.

“The draft plan includes a multipurpose stadium, Antarctic facilities, residential development, an Aboriginal culturally informed zone and a mixed-use zone.

“The submission process shows that Tasmanians are passionate about the opportunities in front of us for this site and this plan is just a glimpse of what we will achieve at Mac Point.”

In drafting the precinct plan, Mr Rockliff said more than 2000 submissions had been received, 100 meetings with stakeholders and individuals held, as well as input from a number of experts.

A blueprint for the urban renewal project, the draft plan will now be used to finalise the site’s layout and the masterplan.

Mr Rockliff said the government was delivering on its long-term plan to redevelop the Macquarie Point site, including progressing the Project of State Significance process for a multipurpose stadium.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We are preparing an order for the Project of State Significance that will be tabled in Parliament this week to get this project underway,” the Premier said.

“Our Government is absolutely focused on taking our State to new levels, and making it the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“We can only achieve this when we are bold and say yes to game-changing infrastructure projects and developments that create jobs and wealth for Tasmanian families.”

Mr Rockliff said community engagement on the site would continue, with Tasmanians encouraged to provide feedback on the zones set out in the plan.

He said the precinct would “future proof our AFL/AFLW team”.

The precinct plan is available at www.macpoint.com/precinctplan