Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirms Macquarie Point a potential site for new $750m stadium

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says Macquarie Point is being considered as a potential site for a significant new development proposed for the waterfront. DETAILS >>>

Macquarie Point has been identified as a potential site for a new $750m stadium, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has confirmed.

That’s despite Regatta Point being named as the preferred location when the stadium was first floated earlier this year, amid the push for a Tasmanian AFL team.

Labor leader Rebecca White said the construction of a stadium would put “a huge question mark” over the $110m Escarpment development at the 9.3ha Macquarie Point site, which she said would provide hundreds of “desperately needed” homes.

“We’re in the grips of a cost of living crisis across Tasmania and the Tasmanian community needs action on addressing housing, healthcare, and the cost of living,” she said.

View of the Macquarie Point site from the Hobart Cenotaph. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The government’s got its priorities wrong talking about building a stadium with millions and millions of taxpayers’ dollars when it’s not even a part of the AFL bid.”

The Opposition Leader questioned whether the government would be “liable” to pay compensation to the developer of the Escarpment if a stadium was built instead.

Mr Rockliff revealed in parliament on Tuesday that the proposed stadium would have a capacity of 23,000 seats and the government would be prepared to contribute up to 50 per cent of the project’s full cost.

Artist’s impression of the new AFL Hobart stadium at Regatta Point in relation to Tasmania's bid for an AFL team. Picture: Philip Lighton Architects

The AFL is understood to have pushed for Macquarie Point to be the home of the stadium as the club presidents prepare to vote on whether Tasmania should be admitted into the national competition.

When asked whether the construction of a stadium at Macquarie Point could have ramifications for the Escarpment development, the Premier said he wouldn’t “go into hypotheticals”.

“But can I say there are great opportunities when it comes to a new arts and entertainment precinct, bringing enormous economic opportunity, not only for southern Tasmania, but more broadly,” he said.

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