Master Builders Tasmania supports Hobart stadium bid

The peak body for Tasmania’s construction industry is pleased by a commitment to ‘open doors’ for young tradies and apprentices to work on the proposed project.

Master Builders CEO Matthew Pollock with the Macquarie Point site. Master Builders Tasmania are throwing its support behind the proposed stadium project at Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A NEW Hobart stadium will increase the capacity of the state’s construction industry for many years to come, the industry’s peak body says.

Master Builders Tasmania is the latest stakeholder group to speak out in support of the project which continues to divide public opinion.

Master Builders CEO Matthew Pollock said a stadium has the capacity to create thousands of jobs and support the building and construction sector for a decade - including boosting housing construction.

Mr Pollock said the 4200 construction jobs the government forecast would be created during the build would have long-term positive impacts.

“We have an opportunity to create something that is world-class that hundreds of young Tasmanians would be able to build and contribute to and would create lasting benefits for generations to come,” he said.

Designs of what Hobart's new AFL stadium at Macquarie Point could look like. Images supplied by AFL

“Right now there are over 3000 apprentice tradies in the building and construction sector. Not only would a major project at Mac Point create opportunities for many of these young tradies, it would also open the door for hundreds more to start working in the industry.

“This is the type of project we need to give those employers the confidence to invest in their own capacity so that we can expand the capacity of the industry overall to deliver not just the Mac Point project but other major projects. The 30,000 additional houses we need to start making inroads into the supply shortage of housing.”

Despite the enthusiasm of the Master Builders and other industry groups, a significant proportion of the community at large remains unconvinced.

Public meeting about Macquarie Point at Hobart Town Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Polling commissioned by the Labor Party in early October found 67.3 per cent of 2541 respondents were against the plan, with 52 per cent of those asked saying they were strongly opposed.

The recent Mercury Big Issues survey which attracted 3200 responses, 69.46 per cent were opposed.

Even some Tasmanian federal Liberal MPs have joined opposition parties in expressing doubts about the project, given the state’s significant challenges in other areas such as health and housing.

A state government business case released in December revised the cost of the project down from $750m to $715m.

The Tasmanian Government’s commitment remains at $375m with the AFL to commit $15 million, $85m to be funded through private equity or borrowings against land sale or lease for commercial uses.

The federal government has been asked to commit $240m.

So far the federal government has committed nothing.

However Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said recently the government “was having a constructive look at it”.