Tasmanian government emphatically rules out support for alternative stadium proposal

At a time where hurdles grow for the original stadium plan, the state government has drawn a line in the sand over its stance on an alternative proposal. The latest >>

Concept drawings of a Macquarie Point Stadium which includes an outer shell of apartments, proposed by the Stadia Precinct Consortia. Picture: SolutionsWon

The state government has emphatically ruled out backing an alternative proposal for a stadium at Macquarie Point — placing all its bets on the original plan passing a growing number of hurdles.

Minister for Sport and Events Nic Street said on Friday the Liberal government was fully committed to its plan to build a $715m roofed stadium on the site — despite uncertainty around heritage and planning and difficulty of securing critical votes from the crossbench.

As the hopes of 185,000 founding members and extra supporters hang on the construction of a stadium to satisfy the teams of the AFL deal, Mr Street has ruled out any chance of supporting developer Dean Coleman’s Mac Point 2.0 plan.

Minister Jo Palmer with Minister Nic Street. Swearing in of the new Tasmanian government cabinet at government house in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The Tasmanian government is getting on with the job to deliver the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project,” Mr Street said.

“The project includes a full roofed stadium as per the AFL agreement.

“Funding has been allocated and the formal planning process is under way.

“Given its commitment to deliver the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project, the Tasmanian Government is not contemplating involvement in any alternate proposals.

“No extensions of time frames as detailed in the AFL agreement have been contemplated or sought.”

Stadia Consortia managing director Mr Coleman has been pushing a proposal for a $2.3bn waterfront stadium backed by public and private investment at the Regatta Grounds, which has won community support.

It includes 450 apartments, 310 affordable housing beds, private hospital, hotel, convention centre, restaurants and retail spaces.

Mr Coleman told the Mercury on Friday the group remained committed “to fostering a responsible and sustainable” urban renewal development at Macquarie Point.

“Our vision for Mac Point 2.0, transcends a 23,000-seat stadium; it serves as the blueprint for a precinct catering to the diverse needs of all Tasmanians, backed by a decade of meticulous research and data analysis,” Mr Coleman said.

“Crucially, our design safeguards the integrity of Tasmania’s heritage, ensuring no adverse effects on the Goods Shed, the revered Cenotaph, solemn Remembrance Day ceremonies, poignant Anzac Day tributes, or the cherished annual Hobart Regatta.”

$2.3 billion precinct-scale urban renewal project, including roofed AFL stadium, for Hobart. Stakeholder relations Paul Lennon and Managing Director of Stadia Precinct Consortia Dean Coleman at Macquarie Point. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Coleman said the Stadia Consortia group was committed to a “constructive discourse in the weeks ahead”, trying to negotiate with the government to realise a shared vision for Macquarie Point.

The government’s decision comes after a series of setbacks for the original plan — which has attracted $240m in federal government funding.

The project has been referred to the Tasmanian Planning Commission as a project of state significance.

Questions have also been raised about the project budget, which stands at $715m despite the passage of two years since the original estimate and a government cap on taxpayer expenditure.

And the stadium was dealt another blow on Wednesday when a 110-year-old railway goods shed on the site was placed on the state heritage register.

It still faces a vote from an increasingly hostile parliament. The Greens are implacably opposed and other key independents are lukewarm at best.

Without Labor support, the government’s plan may struggle to achieve a majority when it faces a vote.

Labor leader Dean Winter spoke strongly against the government’s stadium plan on Thursday.

He said it was clear the site was unsuitable for a range of reasons.

“Yes, we support the AFL team and we want to make sure we get one, there’s huge enthusiasm for it but we need to make sure we’ve got a plan that’s viable,” he said.

“I just want an AFL team. I think all Tasmania want an AFL team. We’re desperate for one, we need to make sure we’ve got a plan that’s viable.

“If this plan isn’t viable, then the premier needs to outline what he’s going to do next.”