Bumper crowd demonstrates economic benefits of AFL

Tasmania Premier Lara Giddings believes that Saturday's sell-out crowd for the round three Telstra Premiership clash between North Melbourne and Sydney reinforces the benefits of AFL football for Tasmania.

Premier Giddings was among the crowds at Hobart's Bellerive Oval for the clash, explaining that the match provided a massive boost to the local economy.

Premier Giddings stated "you only have to walk along the waterfront of the Elizabeth Street Mall to see the scores of people wearing football colours sitting in cafes and shopping to understand the injection these games provide to the economy.

"There is a real buzz in the air at a time when the tourism season would traditionally be winding down over winter.

"What's really exciting is that these scenes will be repeated another five times this season, including another three games at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Premier Giddings added that the sell-out crowd reinforced the need for the redevelopment of Blundstone Arena which will be funded with $15 million each from the State and Federal Governments.

She stated "construction works will begin immediately after this year's rostered matches to boost the ground's capacity from 15,000 to around 19,500."

The Tasmanian Government is supporting the project in order to host more elite level sport such as Saturday's AFL match and World Cup cricket, referring to the major events and tourist drawcards being held in Tasmania over winter.

Premier Giddings concluded "whether it is AFL football in the North and South of the State, this weekend's Hobart Baroque festival of early music or Dark Mofo and the Festival of Voices, there is something for everyone happening this winter.

"I encourage Tasmanians to take advantage of these events and appreciate for themselves why publications like Lonely Planet have named Tasmania one of the top ten places to visit in 2013."