Tasmanian Government looks to introduce legislation bypassing planning process for Hobart Stadium

The Tasmanian Government is set to introduce 'enabling legislation' to progress planning approvals for its proposed new AFL stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point.

With the Tasmanian Planning Commission having last month advised that costs associated with the project risked the state’s credit rating, Premier Jeremy Rockliff is to introduce legislation bypassing the Project of State Significance process currently underway.

With the new venue a requirement for Tasmania to get its own AFL team, Premier Rockliff advised yesterday that his government will introduce “enabling legislation” to progress the stadium, saying "we cannot afford not to deliver this project. And we cannot afford delays,"

He said in the last week it had "become clear" that the current process "is undermining certainty and confidence in the future of the precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club".

Tasmanian Business Minister Eric Abetz said the government held concerns about the Tasmanian Planning Commission's draft Integrated Assessment Report's scope, and reliance of an assessment prepared by economist Nicholas Gruen.

Minister Abetz noted "it is the government's view that Dr Gruen's report has been tainted by an apprehension of bias, undermining the government's confidence in the Integrated Assessment Report.”

In a statement to the ABC, Dr Gruen said he was agnostic about the stadium, stating “I want Tasmania to decide how to handle this shocking situation in such a way that, when the decision is made, all Tasmanians feel heard, and that, even if they disagree, they feel the decision was made in good faith.

“We are about as far as it’s possible to get from that situation right now.”

Public consultation on the new legislation will open in May, with Premier Rockliff optimistic construction could begin by Christmas.

Images: One of the latest concepts for the proposed new Hobart Stadium. Credit: Macquarie Point Development Corporation.