Hobart stadium cost up to $945m as enabling legislation released

Draft legislation that would enable a stadium to be built at Macquarie Point in Hobart, has been released for public consultation.

The Tasmanian government has also updated the cost estimate for the stadium, saying it was now estimated to be $945 million, up from its previous figure of $775 million.

The stadium proposal is being assessed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission as a project of state significance, but the government wants to pull out of that process and instead give the parliament the only say on whether the stadium will be built.

A roofed stadium at Macquarie Point is a condition of Tasmania’s AFL licence.

Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz said the government was confident the legislation “provides the necessary details for the parliament to provide their support”.

“The government has reviewed and acknowledged the concerns and challenges raised within the draft Integrated Assessment Report by the Tasmanian Planning Commission,” Minister Abetz said.

“This draft bill and subsequent planning conditions addresses these points and demonstrate the efforts by the government to ensure the legislation is comprehensive.

Abetz: ‘I won’t be rubber stamping anything’

Mr Abetz said the permit included conditions requiring “subject and site-specific expert management plans to be finalised and submitted to the relevant regulator for approval before construction or operations” can start.

He said that was standard practice for commercial development approval.

Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive Anne Beach said conditions were developed with input from agencies and regulators, Hobart City Council, TasNetworks and TasWater.

Mr Abetz said as Minister, he would be issuing the permit for the stadium if the legislation passes.

“Be absolutely assured I won’t be rubber stamping anything, but, as Minister, I will be provided with the capacity to issue the relevant permits, but the legislation will require me to consult with the relevant authorities prior to making a permit,” he said.

“From the government”s point of view, transparency’s key; we want to ensure that people fully understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it.

In parliament, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff described the bill as “draconian”, arguing it would give Mr Abetz “unprecedented power to unilaterally amend the stadium permit”.

“You’ve given him free range to instruct the planning commission to change the planning scheme to facilitate any permit conditions,” Dr Woodruff said.

“This legislation is draconian and bringing it to parliament is an utter farce.

“It doesn’t matter if the parliament approves the stadium bill as written, because you’ve given Minister Abetz full power change it as he sits fit.”

Funding for concert hall sound proofing

The government has also agreed to a request from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) to soundproof the Federation Concert Hall. The TSO asked for $4.45 million.

Mr Abetz said the total cost of the stadium was now estimated to be $945 million.

He said the figure incorporated “improvements that will enhance the stadium user experience to better cater for a wide range of planned uses, including helping facilitate cricket at the venue”.

It is not clear whether the $4.45 million for the TSO is included in the $945 million figure.

Questions over cost

Independent MP Rebekah Pentland took aim at the growing cost of the project, asking in parliament how Tasmanians could have faith the latest cost estimate was “even in the ballpark”.

“The stadium was originally costed at $715 million with your government promising to cap its contribution at $375 million not a red cent more now … we learnt the price tag has blown out to $945 million,” Ms Pentland said.

“That still doesn’t include the cost of critical infrastructure like road access and sewerage works.

“The new berth for the Spirits at Devonport was originally going to cost $90 million now the estimate is a massive $493 million.”

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner asked the government what kind of precedent it was setting.

“In just two years your government has introduced, and is planning to introduce again, special legislation to fast track major projects involving massive amounts of public money,” he said.

“These laws bypass Tasmania’s normal planning processes and in at least one case was brought forward after the original proposal was rejected through the proper channels.

Conversations with cricket bodies continuing

Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia have raised concerns about the stadium roof, saying daytime games could not be played at the stadium in its current form.

Mr Abetz said the government was “confident we can sort these issues out with cricket”.

Ms Beach said the Macquarie Point Development Corporation was continuing to work with Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia.

“The last thing we need to work through is the roof, and we know that there are a few challenges around the shadows,” Ms Beach said.

She said decisions about the materials to be used were still being made.

“We’re looking at building a test rig on site so that cricket can have confidence in what we’ll build and they’ll know we can manage this issue.”