Hobart Macquarie Point stadium ‘dead’ without federal funding: Premier Jeremy Rockliff says
Premier Jeremy Rockliff will take the case for taxpayer funding for an AFL stadium to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before the end of the week. LATEST >
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The proposal to build a $750m AFL stadium on “wasteland” at Hobart’s Macquarie Point is unlikely to go ahead if it does not attract federal government funding, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.
The Premier says he will brief Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the business case for the proposal this week in a bid to lock in support for half the construction cost.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan says the state’s long-held desire for an AFL team is contingent on the stadium going ahead.
Earlier this week, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells cast doubt on the federal government’s enthusiasm for spending taxpayer’s money on the proposal, noting “$375 million bucks for a stadium is a lot to ask.”
Mr Rockliff said the stadium would help drive growth in jobs and the broader economy.
“The Tasmanian Government have put forward some $375m, we see this as an investment in our future,” he said.
“We spend this once. I spend $375m every 51 days on health. This is a one-off payment that can create enabling infrastructure to generate jobs and grow our economy so we can fund essential services.
“But without federal government support, it’s highly unlikely this project will go ahead.”
Mr Rockliff said he would speak to Mr Albanese before the end of the week.
“We have presented the business case and I’ll be working through the business case with the Prime Minister this week,” he said.
“No doubt the Prime Minister will ask questions and we’ll provide information as required.
“This is more than an AFL team, this is about effectively turning a wasteland into something truly iconic not only for southern Tasmania but for all of Tasmania.
“What we’re about is investing in infrastructure right across the state to grow the economy and enabling infrastructure that supports of course, the funding of essential services.”
The AFL has announced it would contribute $15m towards the project.
In addition to the cost of the stadium, the state government has agreed to spend $12m a year over 12 years supporting the team plus $60m on a high performance and administration complex.
Opinion polling released by Labor earlier this month revealed nearly 70 per cent of Tasmanians surveyed about the stadium proposal were opposed to the stadium.
Tasmania’s AFL licence bid has gone to Canberra
TASMANIA’S business case for an AFL team has gone to the Federal Government and Premier Jeremy Rockliff aims to catch up with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the next few days to get his response and seek funding for the Macquarie Point Stadium.
The business case is expected to be released to the public some time after that meeting, and Tasmanian football fans and AFL followers Australia-wide will see why the AFL Commission has backed it, as well as most of the club presidents.
The AFL and state government signed an in principle agreement last month for Tasmania to be granted a 19th licence.
The team is scheduled to play its first game in 2027.
The final hurdle is funding for the $750m multipurpose Mac Point Stadium with a roof, seating for 23,000 and extensive corporate and conference facilities.
The state government has committed $375m to the build.
In an unprecedented show of support, the AFL also committed $15m to the project even though it has yet to officially grant a team licence.
Business leaders have come out strongly in support of the stadium and Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief Luke Martin writing him a personalised Christmas letter to Mr Albanese to entice federal funding.
“An AFL team is just the catalyst in transforming the way we attract and leverage major events in Tasmania,” Mr Martin said.
“AFL would be just one of many sporting and cultural events able to be hosted at this new inner-city and all-weather venue.”
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King backed Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team and said the Albanese Government would review the business case, while she questioned the need for a bespoke stadium.
“You are a football-loving state and I hope very much that that 19th licence happens and then we will talk constructively with the Tasmanian government about the infrastructure needs,” she said.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Hobart City Council would have its first consultation with the state government on Thursday
“That will be out first opportunity to receive some information and ask questions because up til this point we haven’t had that opportunity,” she said.
“It is disappointing it has taken a bit of time to get the consultation process happening.
“It is a key piece of land in the city of Hobart, strategically very important and we know the state government and the AFL are really keen to see a stadium here.
“We need to understand the reasoning for that location and how that use will fit in with the rest of what’s going on at Macquarie Point, the Port and Hunter St.”
The Lord Mayor believes the size of the building was a major issues.
“There is a key issue around having a very significantly sized building in this site and making sure the site does provide enough space to locate a significant building,” she said.
The RSL, Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme and heritage landscape of Hunter St, and transport infrastructure will also be taken into account.
“We can’t just give it the tick without understand more about the implications,” she said.
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