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Macquarie Point Stadium

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Coordinates: 42°52′51″S 147°20′9″E / 42.88083°S 147.33583°E / -42.88083; 147.33583
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Macquarie Point Stadium
Map
AddressMacquarie Point, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Coordinates42°52′51″S 147°20′9″E / 42.88083°S 147.33583°E / -42.88083; 147.33583
OwnerTasmanian Government
OperatorStadiums Tasmania
TypeMulti-purpose stadium
Capacity24,500 (including 1,500 standing room capacity)
Field shapeOval
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground2025 (scheduled)
Opened2029 (scheduled)
Construction costA$715 million
Tenants
Tasmania Football Club
Website
www.macpoint.com/stadium

Macquarie Point Stadium is a proposed multi-purpose stadium in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, scheduled to begin construction in 2025 and open in 2029 as the home ground of the Tasmania Football Club.[1][2]

Background

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Macquarie Point was an industrial site that ceased being used as a freight transport hub in 2014 with the closure of the South railway line terminal and opening of the Brighton Transport Hub.[3][4] It was identified as a future urban renewal site, with the establishment of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, a statutory authority under the Tasmanian Government, which received $50m in initial funding from the Federal Government.[5] Various proposals, including a 2016 masterplan by acclaimed Australian architect John Wardle for the site were developed, primarily with a focus on retail, hospitality, public space and residential. While a stadium was not part of any of these plans, the slow pace of activity at the site[6] prompted third parties to publish unsolicited designs including a stadium.[7] In 2020, the Tasmanian Government agreed to purchase the Derwent Entertainment Centre from the Glenorchy City Council.[8][9] Soon thereafter, they established a new statutory entity, Stadiums Tasmania, to be responsible for management of sporting venues across the state.[10]

Timeline

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In February 2022, the Tasmanian Government commissioned a report for a site selection process for a stadium in Hobart. It indicated that Regatta Point and Macquarie Point were the two preferred locations, with a stadium having a capacity of 25,000 with an operable roof and moveable banks of seating to configure the ground for different events.[11] The location at Macquarie Point was confirmed as the preferred location in September 2022.[12]

The final business case was released in December 2022, indicating the Tasmanian Government would contribute $375m of the total cost.[13]

On 29 April 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Hobart to confirm that the Federal Government would contribute the final $240m required for the development: construction is expected to begin in 2025 with a 2029 completion date.[1][2]

On 12 May 2023, members of parliament Lara Alexander and John Tucker resigned from the Liberal Party to sit as independents, in part due to their concerns over the proposed stadium project. This left the Liberal party in minority government, and also requiring seven seats to reach a majority at the next state election.[14]

Following the election, the Liberal Party was returned to government in minority status: the stadium was endorsed by the Labor opposition in May 2024, thus giving it majority support on the floor of parliament.[15]

New sporting events the could be hosted at the stadium could include Australian Football League, Big Bash League, A-League, international cricket, international rugby and National Rugby League games.[16]

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation submitted the development plan application for the stadium precinct to the state Planning Commission in September 2024. The plans committed to a completion date for the project of March 2029, in time for Round 1 of the 2029 AFL premiership season, and revealed that the stadium will have a 23,000 seated capacity and 1,500 additional standing spaces, with a patron capacity of up to 31,500 for major concerts.[17] The corporation also revealed the budget for the construction would be increased to $775 million, with the additional expenditure likely to be covered by private investment.

The commission has 12 months to form an independent panel and assess the impact of the project, after which both houses of parliament will need to approve the project in order for construction to proceed.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledges $240 million for Hobart stadium at Macquarie Point". ABC News. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Albanese formally unveils $240 million in federal funds for Hobart stadium". The Age. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  3. ^ End of the line for TasRail’s last train out of Hobart The Mercury 22 June 2014
  4. ^ Hobart closure Tasmanian Rail News issue 255 October 2014 page 2
  5. ^ "Federal Government Backs Transformation Of Macquarie Point". 22 June 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Macquarie Point progress report: how much taxpayer money is being spent, what's been achieved". The Mercury. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Plans for AFL stadium at Mac Point released". ABC News. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Major milestone for the DEC redevelopment". Tasmanian Government. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Derwent Entertainment Centre Redevelopment" (PDF). 17 December 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Establishing Stadiums Tasmania". Department of State Growth. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Hobart Stadium - Site Selection Process - February 2022" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Macquarie Point selected as Tasmania's AFL stadium location, ABC understands". ABC News. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Hobart AFL stadium business case released, seeking $240 million from federal government". ABC News. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  14. ^ Pridham, Bec (12 May 2023). "Tasmania's Liberal government to be thrown into minority as MPs defect over $715 million AFL stadium in Hobart". ABC News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ^ Adam Holmes (6 May 2024). "Macquarie Point AFL stadium in Hobart clears major hurdle as Labor opposition gives project its support". ABC News.
  16. ^ "FAQ - Yes AFL Team, Yes Stadium". www.yesaflteam.com.au. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Stadium POSS Bid Submitted, Cost Blowouts Begin". Tasmanian Times. 18 September 2024.
  18. ^ Jano Gibson (18 September 2024). "Hobart's Macquarie Point stadium project cost increases to $775 million as planning documents submitted". ABC News.
  19. ^ Chris Rowbottom (19 September 2024). "Hobart's Macquarie Point stadium planning documents detail hopes for AFL, Test cricket, rugby and soccer". ABC News.
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