Plans for new Hobart stadium reach major milestone

The Tasmanian Government’s development of a new AFL stadium in Hobart have reached a major milestone after achieving approval as a Project of State Significance Order.

This approval means the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) will undertake an integrated assessment including broad environmental, social and economic considerations of the project with the public having an opportunity to voice their opinions on the plans.

Advising on the progress, Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff stated “the multi-purpose stadium at Mac Point will be the centrepiece of this important precinct, unlocking investment and jobs.

“The approval of this Order will help progress the Mac Point Stadium as a Project of State Significance, to turn dreams into a reality.”

Explaining that the next step in the process will be the development of guidelines for the assessment by the TPC over the coming four months, Premier Rockliff commented “our Government is delivering on our long-term plan to create jobs and opportunity for Tasmanian families and build more connected communities.”

Earlier this week, Premier Rockliff called on the private development consortium looking to take on the development of the stadium - moving to a site further east than that currently envisaged by the Tasmanian Government and featuring 450 apartments - to provide more detail of their alternate vision.

Among the questions being asked by Premier Rockliff are who will own and operate the stadium when complete, who will pay for it, what the environmental impact will be and its cultural legacy for the city.

Premier Rockliff said a proposal of this scale could “expose the Tasmanian government to a range of significant risks” and needed more detail “on a range of critical matters”.

Image: Concept for the new stadium on Hobart's waterfront.