Concept art of how the stadium and associated developments might look. Image: Macquarie Point Development Corporation.
The Tasmanian Government appears determined to push through “enabling legislation” to facilitate the fast-tracking of Hobart’s controversial Macquarie Point Stadium, despite receiving an adverse independent report into its long-term viability.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the legislation would be introduced to Parliament to fast-track approvals for the stadium, which is part of the wider Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project, effectively bypassing the Project of State Significance (POSS) process.
“It has become clear over the last week that the current process is undermining certainty and confidence in the future of the precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club, impacting construction, recruitment and economic prospects,” the Premier said.
“We cannot afford not to deliver this project. And we cannot afford delays.
“This has been one of the most scrutinised projects in the state’s history. It will drive economic growth, deliver jobs, and, of course, mean Tasmania gets the teams that are rightfully ours.
“Every Member of the Parliament will have their say on this project – just as they would have through the POSS.
“It’s time we got on building it.”
The government’s actions come in the wake of a draft report into the project by a Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) panel.
Released on 31 March, the report was commissioned by the Jacqui Lambie Network and highlighted concerns over the project, including describing the design as overbearing, disproportionate, and going against local planning schemes. It said public transport access had not been planned well, and the planned roof was unsuitable for cricket.
Perhaps most importantly, the report said the project didn’t stack up financially. It said that, rather than the $775 million the government had estimated, it would cost more than $1.2 billion to build, the government’s claim of a cost-benefit of 69 cents for every dollar spent far exceeded the TPC’s estimate of 53 cents, and the level of borrowing that was required threatened the state’s credit rating.
However, the ABC has reported that the review’s author, Dr Nicholas Gruen, had met with anti-stadium campaigners at the encouragement of a senior Jacqui Lambie Network member during the report’s preparation, throwing into doubt the credibility of his findings.
Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz said he had concerns about the report’s scope and its reliance on an assessment prepared by Dr Gruen.
“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,” Mr Abetz said.
“At the very least, there is a significant likelihood the concerns raised will lead to lengthy legal challenges regarding any final recommendation and significantly delay the final decision by the Minister to approve the stadium.
“To be clear: we are very supportive of the TPC and the important work it has carried out. We will continue to work through the report – and whatever public feedback there is on it.
“We will keep extracting what we can to inform good and proper planning decisions around the stadium, to make the precinct the best it possibly can be.”
Public representations on the report are invited until 8 May, while the proposed legislation is also expected to be released for public consultation in May.
