Concept art of the 23,000-seat Mac Point Stadium with its timber and glass roof. Image: Tasmanian Government.
The Tasmanian Government has released revised and updated concept designs for the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium development in Hobart.
The stadium development at ‘’Mac Point’’ has been politically polarising for the government, especially in the face of a dearth of housing in the state. Its projected $715 million development cost will be jointly funded by the State and Federal governments, with the AFL also chipping in.
The latest concepts show a low-profile roofed stadium design with a seating capacity of 23,000. The roof will be made of native timbers and glass, and its design has been informed by modelling football and cricket ball trajectories.
The stadium will also have a 1500-seat function room, a stage pocket to support concerts and events, accessible design features, separated back-of-house and catering facilities and a below-ground service road, and a woven-style facade designed to resemble the roundhouse structure that used to be part of the Hobart Rail Yard at Mac Point.
Minister for Sport and Events Nic Street said he was excited to share the concepts.
“We’ve worked to design a welcoming, functional and uniquely Tasmanian multipurpose stadium for this space,” he said.
“When completed, the stadium will be the largest timber-roofed stadium in the world.
“While developing this stadium is an important step in realising our dream of seeing our own AFL and AFLW teams running out on our own field, this facility will offer so much more.”
Mr Street said the fixed, dome-shaped roof was an important part of the design.
“The transparent roof, which is supported by an internal steel and timber frame, provides an opportunity to showcase Tasmanian timber,” he said.
“The frame will support a fully transparent ETFE material, which is a plastic-based material designed to have a high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range.
“This will allow light in, support natural turf growth, and avoid the need for large light towers.”
The $715 million project to redevelop Macquarie Point will be jointly funded by the Federal and State governments, as well as the AFL. Image: Tasmanian Government.
Concerns have been raised about the heritage-listed goods shed on the site and any Indigenous sites or artefacts that may be uncovered.
“The maritime heritage of the broader area has also been taken into account and culturally informed under the guidance of Aboriginal community members,” Mr Street said.
The century-old goods shed, built in 1915, was permanently listed on the Heritage Register earlier this year after it was found to have historical cultural heritage significance, and it will be relocated to a new location on the site.
The AFL welcomed the release of the designs, reiterating the new stadium was a condition of a new Tasmanian Devils team entry into the AFL in 2028.
“The renders released today are another great step forward in the establishment of the Tassie Devils Football Club,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
“Having recently visited Hobart, there is real momentum regarding the club and the design of the stadium, being driven by the Macquarie Point Authority, gives the public great insight into what the stadium will bring to the city and state of Tasmania.”
Tasmania’s Opposition Labor Party, which had promised to scrap the project if it won the state election earlier this year, says it now supports the stadium.
“Tasmanian Labor stands for safe, secure and well-paid jobs, which is why we are supporting a stadium,” Shadow Minister for Sport Luke Edmunds said.
“We welcome today’s concept designs and look forward to seeing more progress on this project.
“While it remains to be seen if [Premier] Jeremy Rockliff can deliver this on time and on budget – if he does, it will be good news for Tasmania’s economy and local jobs.”
