A crucial report from the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) has been handed down on the proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium in Hobart (render of stadium pictured) with the recommendation it not be built due to economic factors, geographical features of the site and its potential impact on the cultural heritage of the city. 

The report, delivered publicly on Wednesday September 17, is a key piece of the puzzle in the Tasmanian Devils entering the AFL as the 19th team in 2028. Without the stadium (scheduled to be constructed in time for the 2029 season), the AFL has reiterated the state’s licence to join the competition would be terminated.

While the TPC’s report isn’t binding and doesn’t mean the proposed $945 million Macquarie Point project won’t go ahead, it is a crushing blow ahead of the parliamentary vote on the project later this year, expected around October. 

Both the governing state Liberals and Labor opposition support the stadium, but will require the backing of several independents to get through the upper house.

The proposed stadium, which will be a 159.5m x 128.6m oval field-of-play, will have a capacity of 23,000 for sporting and cultural events such as Australian rules football, cricket and concerts and will be a seating bowl design with a timber and steel framed fixed transparent roof.

The TPC, in its report cited several significant factors in why the proposed stadium should not be built at Mac Point, concluding it would saddle Tasmania with debts reaching $1.8 billion within a decade.

“The fundamental problem is the size, location and geographical features of the site, in its highly valued context, do not support the disproportionately large, monolithic building proposed,” the report reads. “It is a building which is incongruent with the valued characteristics of its spatial context, completely at odds with the long-established planning principles guiding and informing development, and with the land and urban fabric surrounding the site and the heritage values associated with nearby places. Proceeding with the Project will give rise to irrevocable and unacceptable adverse impacts on Hobart’s spatial and landscape character, urban form and historic cultural Heritage. In addition, the Project represents a significant net cost and will diminish the economic welfare of Tasmanians as a whole, and it offers almost no scope for the site to become a vibrant active place that is attractive to visit outside of major event
Mode. In very simple terms, the stadium is too big for the site and the benefits it will bring are significantly outweighed by the disbenefits it creates.” 

Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia, seen as significant factors in the future of any potential stadium in Hobart, have previously raised concerns on the impact of the playing surface, more specifically the centre wicket area due to the impact of shadows from the stadium’s roof and supporting structure. However, both cricketing bodies are confident any issues can be resolved and future Test matches, BBL, WBBL, ODI and T20s can be played at the venue.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff immediately addressed the TPC report on Wednesday, disagreeing with the recommendation with the belief the project should still go ahead.

“Unfortunately, it still massively underestimates the social and economic benefits that the stadium, a new AFL team, and a supercharged events industry will have on Tasmania,” he said via social media. “It’s the reason why new stadiums right across the nation are approved using special laws, not the traditional planning scheme.  And that’s why our process gives Parliament the final say. The TPC has done its job, and I thank them. It’s now time for democratically elected Members of Parliament to have the final say. We will provide a comprehensive response to the TPC report soon.  And we will continue to fight for this project. Because as a growing State, we simply cannot afford not to. This is so much bigger than politics.  This is our future on the line."

Despite the setback, The Devils are pushing ahead with building a club, and recently announced they would enter the VFL and VFLW competitions in 2026 where they will play a mixture of matches between Hobart and Launceston.

Construction of a high performance centre, training and administration hub, to serve as The Devils’ home base 15 minutes south of Hobart at the Kingston Twin Ovals is already underway with the two existing playing grounds at the sporting complex to remain. The project is funded to $70 million, with the Tasmanian Government committing up to $60 million with a further $10 million from the AFL.

To view the TPC’s report click here: https://www.planning.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/829377/Project-of-State-Significance-Macquarie-PoinRecommendation-report.PDF

Story by Nick Creely/ Photos by The Macquarie Point Development Corporation