Hobart Stadium Planning Sidestep Proposal Goes Public

Plans for Tasmania’s contentious Macquarie Point Stadium have gone public as the project cost edges closer to $1 billion.

The latest cost estimate of $945-million announced as the legislation for the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project was opened to public consultation.

This estimate is well above the $715-million budget predicted in the Project of State Significance approval pathway in September last year. That figure rose to $775 million months later.

The Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025 would enable the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) to bypass the pathway overseen by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

If approved by Parliament, it will remove the proposal from the current planning pathway, and allow land to be acquired to develop a northern access road, the consolidation of titles and a permit for development.

The stadium and Tasmania’s plans for the Devils debut in the AFL have followed a long and twisted road—there have been 2200 written submissions and more than 100 meetings around costs, the stadium’s dominance over the cityscape and traffic concerns.

It progressed to the final stage of the Project of State Significance in early May when the Tasmanian Planning Commission drafted an integrated assessment report that went on exhibition.

However, the MPDC was concerned the report “focuses too heavily on the perceived negative aspects of the project” and in turn was “disproportionately impacting on public sentiment”.

▲ Renderings of the new stadium and its impact on views in Hobart.

The MPDC wanted “significant amendments” made to the report but this would require public consultation and push the commission’s decision deadline past a September 17, placing “the delivery of the stadium beyond the timelines stipulated in the AFL Agreement and in direct resource competition with Olympic stadia builds in Queensland,” the report said.

“Construction costs will also increase with the further passage of time.”

The 9.3ha site is near the CBD, tucked between the Hobart Cenotaph and the Macquarie Wharf. The historic Goods Shed on the site would be relocated to the northern section of the site.

The multi-purpose stadium has a 58,500sq m footprint and an oval the same size as the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The planned transparent dome is 54m at its external peak. 

The stadium would offer a 23,000-seated capacity for games, 31,500 patron capacity for concerts and a 1500-person function room.

The latest changes to the design, and jump-in cost, include more catering for cricket at the venue, allowances for audio-visual, communications and kitchens, as well as food and beverage fitouts.

There would also be additional work needed to soundproof the Federation Concert Hall at the request of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

▲ A rendering of the proposed stadium.

Tasmania business minister Eric Abetz said the Government had “reviewed and acknowledged the concerns and challenges raised within the draft Integrated Assessment Report by the Tasmanian Planning Commission”.

“This draft Bill and subsequent planning conditions addresses these points and demonstrate the efforts by the Government to ensure the legislation is comprehensive.

“The enabling legislation and supporting materials are hundreds of pages long, carefully addressing concerns, permits and conditions.

“We are confident that this legislation provides the necessary details for the Parliament to provide their support.”

Public consultation for the Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025 is open until June 16.