Have your say - Enabling Legislation for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium

• Economic analysis (PDF 4.9MB)
• Mac Point Precinct Plan (PDF 38.6MB)

Key documents developed in the assessment of the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium as a Project of State Significance have been used in the development of the project report and associated permit and conditions.

They are:

• Draft Integrated Assessment Report - Tasmanian Planning Commission - March 2025 (PDF 5.6MB)
• Final PoSS Guidelines Macquarie Point Stadium - Tasmanian Planning Commission - February 2024 (PDF 613.7KB)
• Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Summary Report - MPDC - September 2024 (PDF 42.0MB)
• Macquarie Point Development Corporation - Third Representation - May 2025 (PDF 5.9MB)

The Bill is the enabling legislation for the Macquarie Point multipurpose stadium. Broadly, through the introduction of the Bill, the Government is seeking Parliament’s approval to:

• issue a permit (with conditions) for the development of a multipurpose stadium at Macquarie Point
• acquire land necessary for the development of the Northern Access Road (noting its functions in supporting the port, the precinct and other developments on the site)
• to provide a mechanism for permitting other essential development required for the operation of the stadium; and
• consolidate titles to facilitate the construction of the stadium and associated infrastructure.

The AFL Licence Taskforce Business Plan 2019 identified that a new stadium in Hobart is required for an AFL Team to be sustainable in Tasmania.

The AFL Team is actively working towards entering the competition in 2028 and cannot afford delays in the construction of its stadium. If there is no stadium, there is no AFL team.

The Government appreciates the work of the Tasmanian Planning Commission to consider the stadium as a Project of State Significance and to release a draft integrated assessment report. Over 860 representations have been made on that report.

The development of a new Stadium requires a new vision for Macquarie Point, one that is significantly different to the planning principles developed in 1991 and applied by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. The Government considers that Parliament is best placed to agree on this new vision.

The final decision on the stadium always rested with Parliament. The Government’s proposed enabling legislation will mean that this decision is made sooner, giving Macquarie Point Development Corporation the opportunity to commence construction and meet the timeframes required to complete the stadium.

The advice to Parliament on the construction and operation of the stadium will come from the experts across Government that would have otherwise supported the Project of State Significant assessment.

Project specific legislation or bespoke approvals processes for significant projects of importance to a State are not unusual. Tasmania has previously approved project specific legislation including Parliament Square and Meander Dam.

Other jurisdictions have also introduced project specific legislation for similar projects:

• Queensland: in preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Queensland Government introduced legislation to enable planning approval for construction of Olympic venues.
• South Australia: planning approval for the Adelaide Oval redevelopment was achieved through a dedicated legislative process.
• Victoria: Legislation was enacted to grant the Docklands Authority with powers to plan and develop the precinct.

The legislation seeks approval for the Stadium and other core elements to properly activate the site and other essential items for the operation of the Stadium.

The Project comprises the following core elements:

• the multipurpose stadium and surrounding concourse, including arrival plaza areas;
• the relocation of the Goods Shed to the northern section of the Stadium, while remaining as a standalone structure and facility; and
• practice cricket wickets, required to service the multipurpose nature of the stadium.

In addition, approval through this permit is sought for a below ground car park.

While the Bill provides a pathway for the approval of the northern access road to McVilly Drive and the event bus plaza, these works will be dealt with in a separate permit. Subject to the passage of this Bill, a northern access network permit, or permits, will be developed and consulted upon.

The draft permit and conditions document has been released for public consultation. This document contains the conditions of the Stadium development.

The Bill will provide authorisation for the Minister to issue additional permits required for infrastructure essential to the operation of the stadium. The clearest example of this is to permit the Northern Access Road.

All subsequent permits must relate to the proposed development, which is defined in the Bill.

Before issuing a subsequent permit, the Minister must consult with relevant regulators. This is important to ensure that, like the stadium permit, further permits are issued with appropriate conditions.

Most additional permits must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament and are disallowable by the Parliament.

However, the Northen Access Road and Bus Plaza permit will not be disallowable. This infrastructure is critical for the ongoing operation of the stadium, the port and the broader precinct. Given that the Bill seeks Parliament’s approval to acquire the land required for the Northern Access Road, it is not considered necessary or appropriate to return the project to Parliament for consideration

A permit is not sought for the Northen Access Road and Bus Plaza at this stage, due to the need to complete some final details in the project design.

As a project develops, it is common for new information to arise that requires an amendment to either the project scope or the conditions attached to the permit.

Although the legislation authorises the Minister to amend the project scope or conditions, any amendments must be done through a transparent process and within the framework of the legislation.

The Minister is required to consult with the Hobart City Council and all regulators prior to amending the scope or conditions. As soon as practical after making the order, the Minister must publish a copy of the order, the permit, a statement of the Minister’s reasons for making the order and a list of the people consulted before making the order.

The Minister can also make minor amendments. However, these minor amendments are restricted to changes that do not:

• Change the effect of a condition or restriction within the permit;
• Have a negative impact on any person;
• Cause serious or material environmental harm (as defined in EMPCA); and
• Change the use or development for which the permit was issued, other than a minor change to the description to the use or development.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has developed the legislation in collaboration with subject matter experts from key government departments and relevant statutory authorities.

These subject matter experts are the same people that have, or were preparing to, provide evidence to the Project of State Significance process.

The Stadium cannot afford delays, and it is time that the Government got on building it.

If approved, the legislation will issue the planning permit, with conditions, for the use and development of the Stadium. Given the extensive public scrutiny to date, the Parliament will decide whether or not this project proceeds.

While the Bill extinguishes appeal rights, the Minister (and any delegated decisions makers under the legislation) must still act in good faith.

The Bill will ensure that the Northern Access Road can be built by securing the land running from the stadium to the existing sections of McVilly Drive. The road corridor will secure access to the stadium, the port, the Macquarie Point Precinct and the Cenotaph and Regatta Grounds. No privately own land is being acquired.

Stadium operations for large events will also require controlled access, at times, to both McVilly Drive and Evans Street. The Bill will transfer the ownership of these roads to the State to make event day controls easier to manage. Specific provision is made to ensure Hobart City Council can continue to raise parking revenue in these areas outside of event times.

Detailed options for the Northern Access Road will be available for Parliament to consider when it debates the legislation for the stadium.

Given that the Bill seeks Parliament’s approval to acquire the land required for the Northern Access Road, it is not considered necessary or appropriate to return the project to Parliament for consideration

A permit or permits for the Northern Access Network will be finalized at a later stage as details of the project design are settled. The Bill provides for this permit to be issued by the Minister later.

To facilitate both the building and operational phases of the Stadium and the broader precinct, roads surrounding the site are to become State Roads.

For example, McVilly Drive and Evans Street will require controlled access at certain times for large Stadium events. As a State Road, event day control of roads is easier to manage.

The Hobart City Council will continue to raise parking revenue in these areas outside of event times.

Associated infrastructure works from the Public Works Committee Act 1914 to ensure that the commencement of the construction of essential infrastructure is not delayed. Given the public scrutiny to date, the Parliamentary debate will take its place.

The 2025‑26 Budget assumes an estimated cost of $945 million for the Stadium. It includes the items previously identified as partnership opportunities, such as PA system, CCTV, AV & ICT, Ribbon Boards, as well as kitchens and F&B fit outs.

The estimate also includes additional precinct integration items, and revenue-making user requirements such as additional premium food and beverage offerings.

The additional cost for the stadium increases the quality of the experience for those attending events and makes the stadium more sustainable in terms of revenue.

The project scope and budget has been reviewed to consider feedback from future users of the stadium and to ensure the stadium will be delivery-ready and include all-fixed items necessary from day one.

This includes:

• the inclusion of items previously identified as potentially being funded through commercial partnerships
• expansion to the functional design brief to include feedback from future tenants and users
• and some inclusions to reflect additional costs identified through further design.

The communication and technical services, additional kitchens, and food and beverage fit out previously identified for opportunities to explore in commercial partnerships contributed approximately $75M.

Expansion of the functional brief including additional food and beverage offerings, enhance storage and streamline operations, provide full patron connectivity for enhanced in-seat experience and specific features such as the chair’s lounge for cricket contributed around $57M.

Design clarifications through the further detailed and structural work, and expansion in internal Gross Floor Area to accommodate the functional design and scope additions contributed approximately $38M.

By including these features, we are setting up the venue, and its users, for success.

We are making it an attractive and efficient venue that will support Stadium Tasmania operate and fund the venue and include features that will attract the best range of events.

The design of the stadium is ensuring that it maximises the return to the State through Stadium Tasmania.

Stadiums Tasmania as the operator of the venue may require ongoing support from Government for its operational costs.

At this stage, it is not possible to be definitive about the level of operational support required, as this will be dependent on Stadiums Tasmania’s operational model and the extent to which it can be funded through the sale of advertising rights, food and beverage concessions and other commercial opportunities within the stadium.

Stadiums Tasmania is currently developing its operational model and exploring all possible commercial opportunities.

The stadium is being designed so that all forms of cricket can be played there.

Work is continuing with Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia to identify suitable mitigations to the shading of the roof during day matches. There are several design options that are being considered, including to test different roof materials on site to pilot shadow reduction options.

MPDC will continue to work with cricket to test, visit and trial options to ensure that the stadium is suitable for all forms of cricket.

The Tasmanian Government is in constant dialogue with the AFL.

The requirement for the Stadium to have a roof was identified in the AFL Licence Taskforce Business Plan 2019 and is outlined in the Club Funding and Development Agreement with the AFL.