RSL Tasmania President John Hardy supports Mac Point 2.0 proposal despite Premier Jeremy Rockliff not backing it

Premier Jeremy Rockliff admitted he had not seen the newly released images of the Mac Point 2.0 proposal and reiterated that his government would focus on the original plan.

Mac Point 2.0 Stadium aerial view. Design from Stadia Precinct consortia for the proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie Point Hobart. Supplied August 2nd 2024. Picture: Solutions Won

The Premier says his government is only focused on its existing Macquarie Point stadium proposal despite a rival project gaining the approval of the RSL.

On Sunday, Stadia Precinct Consortia revealed it had enlisted Capella Capital as the financial backer for its Mac Point 2.0 proposal.

The organisation also released new stadium images that show it would not interfere with any sight lines from the Hobart Cenotaph.

The existing Mac Point 1.0 proposal, which has the backing of the AFL and Tasmanian Government, has been heavily criticised by RSL Tasmania for potentially “destroying sight lines” at the war memorial.

CEO of RSL Tasmania John Hardy at Hobart Cenotaph. Picture: Linda Higginson.

However, its CEO John Hardy said the organisation supported the alternative stadium and urban precinct proposal.

“As we’ve said from the start, the RSL fully supports an AFL team and a stadium,” Mr Hardy said.

“Our only concern has only ever been the Cenotaph.

“This 2.0 stadium conforms to the Sullivan Cove Planning Scheme, which is actually a problem with 1.0.

“The alternative stadium is not as high, it’s got a retractable roof, it doesn’t cause problems with the sight lines.”

Mr Hardy urged the state government to consider the Mac Point 2.0 proposal seriously.

“We’ve tried to push the government from the start to try and adopt this. Our message – our tune – has never changed.

“The 2.0 is a good solution. It keeps the AFL stadium in Hobart, which is what the state government wants.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. House of Assembly question time returns in the Tasmanian parliament after the Winter break. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Speaking on Sunday morning, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had not seen the images of the Mac Point 2.0 proposal that had been released earlier that day.

“We’re 100 per cent behind the Macquarie Point stadium, as we have presented,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We have got a very clear agenda when it comes to our Macquarie Point development.

“The precinct development clearly aligns with the federal government commitment, but also the AFL agreement; it’s an exciting opportunity.

“There’s only one game in town for us, and that’s our Macquarie Point development proposal.”

Independent MHA David O’Byrne said he believed it was unlikely the Mac Point 2.0 project would get up.

“The government and the AFL are working on the Macquarie 1.0 proposal; that’s where I think most people are focused.

“I wish the stadium 2.0 proponents well, but at the end of the day, you need the state government and you need the AFL to agree.

“At the minute, the heavy work’s being done on Mac Point 1.0.”