The world’s first timber-roofed oval-shaped stadium will be “fast-tracked” after the Tasmanian government doubled down on its commitment to introduce “enabling legislation” that will bypass the established planning process.
The approval of the 23,000-seat Macquarie Point stadium—a key condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL—comes days after the Hobart City Council voted to oppose the stadium over planning concerns.
Adopting a “design and construct” procurement model – which is fully funded by the state – rather than the private-public funding model embraced by the Brisbane Olympic Games, the decision comes days after the government completed a market-sounding process that explored different delivery options for the Hobart waterfront development.
“Feedback from the market sounding process is crucial in understanding how to activate the precinct in a way that unlocks decades of economic investment, jobs and opportunities,” according to Eric Abetz, Tasmanian Business, Industry and Resources Minister, on Monday. “The decision to prioritise the delivery of the multipurpose stadium through a design and construct pathway provides certainty and confidence in the future of the precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club.”
Wood Central understands that construction will be funded by debt raised by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC)—in addition to the $630 million already committed by the AFL and the state and federal governments. While several infrastructure funders expressed “strong interest” in a public-private model, Abetz said the government determined this approach would ultimately disadvantage Tasmanians.
“… It would cost the taxpayer more, take longer to implement and take away from the asset being owned by and for the Tasmanian people,” Minister Abetz said. “We cannot afford any delays if we are to meet existing timeframes set out in the AFL agreement. Without a stadium, there is no Tasmanian AFL team.”
The stadium, last estimated to cost $775 million but independently assessed to be closer to $900 million, is facing a funding shortfall of at least $145 million, a gap covered by $200 million in borrowings.
Parcels from Macquarie Point will be sold to developers to fund the stadium.
Reports suggest the government plans to sell parts of the broader Macquarie Point precinct to private developers as the stadium project progresses to help cover the cost – including 17,000 square metres of commercially zoned land and a future underground car park.
“Activation will occur through the staged release of commercial development opportunities to attract the right investments at the right time and to maximise the potential returns for Tasmanians,” Abetz said. “The transformation of Macquarie Point will shape Tasmania for generations, and I know many will be excited by the prospect of being involved.”
In February, Wood Central reported on updated renders showing the $160m timber roof—a combination of ETFE pillows and a glulam timber system. At its apex, the roof will stand 51 metres above the ground before cascading down into the seating. Dubbed a “once in a generation” chance to revitalise Hobart’s CBD, the stadium must be functional by the 2029 season, with the state government liable to penalties if it is not met.
However, the timber-rich design has not been without controversy. Earlier this year, Cricket Australia wrote to the Tasmanian government urging Cox Architecture, the stadium architect, to redesign key elements of the roof (or remove them completely) over fears that sight lines caused by the glulam framing will obstruct the view from the centre wicket during red-ball daylight fixtures.
In a letter obtained by ABC, Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia raised “significant concerns” about the effects of shadows cast by the roof’s supporting structure, which they said would severely impair the stadium’s capacity to stage cricket matches: “We are of the view that the current roof design will mean the stadium is unlikely to be conducive to hosting test matches and could also be challenged in hosting One Day (50 over) and T20 (20 over) fixtures,” the letter reads. “This is not an outcome that either CA (Cricket Australia) or CT (Cricket Tasmania) wants, and its members will strongly challenge CT to advocate for an alternate solution.”
- To learn more about the Macquarie Point Stadium, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
