Macquarie Point stadium rejected but Premier vows to fight on
Premier Jeremy Rockliff remains optimistic about the proposed Macquarie Point stadium despite a major report knocking back the project. What he says >>
Premier Jeremy Rockliff remains determined to move ahead with Macquarie Point stadium after the Tasmanian Planning Commission knocked the proposal back.
On Monday morning, soon after the report was released, Mr Rockliff spoke at Longford Football Club with Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Eric Abetz and Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent.
“What’s important now is members of parliament is have their say,” Mr Rockliff said.
“We’ll make sure the dreams and aspirations and opportunities with the stadium will come to fruition.
“We’re going to prove to the rest of the nation that opportunities like this can go ahead.
“Today is just another step. The report said this is still constructable.
“We are taking a step forward today.”
He said he remained enthusiastic about the project and the opportunities it would provide.
“This has strengthened my resolve,” he said.
The report found the stadium build would plunge the state $1.8bn into debt.
Mr Rockliff said the government vehemently disagreed with the economic figures of the report.
He revealed the stadium project was now estimated to cost $1.13bn, an increase of $185m on the previous estimate of $945m — and $415m above the original estimate of $715m,
He disagreed with the report’s amount of tax payer funding needed for the stadium. He said taxes wouldn’t be raised.
He said it was about keeping young people in Tasmania and keeping the dreams and aspirations of young people alive
“This is an opportunity we cannot miss out on”, he said, thanking the planning commission for their report.
“They have massively underrated the value the stadium will bring.”
Mr Rockliff said the government expected this result from the report which was why they put in plans for enabling legislation months ago.
“Parliament will always have the last say in this project,” he said
He said he was confident there was still “strong bipartisan support” from the opposition leader.
“This might be a day to celebrate for those against the project, it for me this is another day.”
Mr Rockliff said he wouldn’t let an outdated planning scheme not deliver for the future of Tasmania.
“This is affordable, this is doable,” he said.
The government is expected to provide a further comprehensive response to the report.
He added delays would add to the project’s cost.
“It’s time to get this done,” he said.
The Premier said they wouldn’t be renegotiating the deal with the AFL for Tasmania Football Club’s entry into the national competition.
He said the timeline for the stadium was to still have it completed in 2029.
The Devils are set to make their AFL debut a year before that.
More Coverage
$3000 a night: Gig-goers face price gouging ‘Pretenders’
