Vietnam Veterans Association opposed to proposed AFL stadium at Mac Point

The group representing the state’s Vietnam veterans has written to the Premier expressing opposition to a proposed AFL stadium. Find out why.

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

The group representing the state’s Vietnam veterans has written to Premier Jeremy Rockliff expressing opposition to a proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

State President of the Vietnam Veterans Association Terry Roe says the stadium would potentially have a profound effect on a place of “special symbolic, spiritual, cultural and social meaning” and sought reassurance from the premier that its impact would be considered.

“I am writing to express our deep concern over the Tasmanian Government’s proposal to build an approved AFL Stadium at Macquarie Point,” he wrote.

“Our association is concerned that should a stadium of the size and height being proposed for Macquarie Point be built, it would have a direct impact on the ambience of the Cenotaph, notably during important commemorative services.

The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia – Tasmania Branch does not support the building of a stadium at Macquarie Point.

Tasmanian RSL president, Terry Roe at the Hobart Cenotaph Remembrance Day service. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Roe says Cenotaph was deliberately located at a visible focal point for commemoration of the nation’s war dead and the construction of a stadium would obscure views of the memorial.

“These views offer peaceful solemnity for Tasmanians and veterans and their families when they gather at the cenotaph, in reflection, to remember lost loved ones and the sacrifice of so many.

“The building of a large concrete stadium at Mac Point will take away those views, and, in doing so, will diminish the spiritual serenity of the Cenotaph, which was the intent of our City forefathers.”

And he said using the surrounding area as a carpark would mean thousands of people passing through after events.

“The possibility of intoxicated and rowdy people returning to their vehicles after a game or event, through the sacred grounds of the Cenotaph, poses a real threat to the integrity of the Cenotaph, the Eternal Flame of Remembrance and to the Victoria Cross memorials.”

RSL President Barry Quinn said his organisation was waiting for more detailed information about the proposal.

He said the organisation’s main focus was ensuring the sacred nature of the Cenotaph was respected.

“At this point in time, we have been informed by the government about the proposal. We’re still waiting for further detail before making a comment,” he said.

“Until we receive further info on the design and the impact, we’ll go to our members and then we’ll talk to the government.”

The Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, and Minister for Veterans Affairs Guy Barnett said feasibility work for the project is underway.

“Our Government fully understands the importance of the Cenotaph to our veterans and to the entire Tasmanian community.

“As this progresses, we will work closely with the veterans community, including on how the Macquarie Point precinct could actually enhance the Cenotaph area for people to remember and commemorate our servicemen and women.”

Inquiry to be held over stadium plan

A committee dominated by non-government MPs will hold an inquiry into plans for an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

The inquiry was announced late Tuesday.

“The Parliamentary Standing Committee of Public Accounts Committee is undertaking a targeted inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s process into the feasibility planning for a new sporting and event stadium in Hobart,” the committee said in a statement.

“The Committee will consider among other factors the process used to select the Macquarie Point site, the costs (initial and future) of building, maintaining and operating the same, and the assumptions that underpin the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed Hobart stadium.

“The committee will be chaired by independent MLC Ruth Forrest and include Nelson MLC Meg Webb, Labor MPs Josh Willie and Shane Broad and Liberals Lara Alexander and Dean Young.”

Josh Willie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Terms of reference released by the committee reveal the inquiry will have a particular emphasis on the process used to select Macquarie Point as the site for a proposed new stadium and 2. how a new roofed stadium became a condition of a Tasmanian licence to enter the AFL.

It will also examine the financial assumptions underpinning the bid, including the “Tasmanian Government’s expectation regarding financial contributions from the Australian Government, AFL and third parties”.

Labor’s Janie Finlay welcomed the inquiry. Her party supports the state’s long-running AFL bid but is opposed to the stadium.

“There is considerable, widespread, disquiet throughout the Tasmanian community about the proposed stadium,” she said.

Labor MP Janie Finlay. Picture: Richard Jupe

“It’s not a priority for the state and a large number of Tasmania’s Federal Liberal MPs agree, including Senators Duniam, Chandler and Askew and Braddon and Bass MPs Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer who have all voiced their disapproval of the project.

“The Premier has been pushed around by the AFL and has not stood up to them.

“The Premier should never have agreed to the demand of the AFL that a new stadium be built as we have two perfectly good AFL-quality stadiums in the state already.:

Ms Finlay said the stadium was an attempt to “fleece Tasmanian taxpayers”.

“We should have had the licence by now,” she said.

“Tasmania should already be in the process of building our Tassie team. We should have already appointed a CEO, a board and started our push for members.”

Greens leader Casy O’Connor welcomed scrutiny of what she described as the “unneeded and unwanted stadium plan for Macquarie Point”.

“PAC will have a lot to investigate. There’s no business case for the project, only propaganda peddled by the Premier’s office and the Liberals’ industry mates,” she said.

“This AFL-driven proposal is a reckless spend of hundreds of millions of public dollars. Tasmania has a housing waiting list in the thousands, and people are dying ramped at hospitals.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was firmly behind the stadium proposal.

“We fully back this important project as it will not only help us take our place on the national sporting stage, but will also create thousands of jobs and inject millions into our economy – which in turn will allow us to reinvest the dividends into essential services,” he said.