- The stadium will be located at Macquarie Point in Hobart
- It is a requirement for the Tasmanian Devils’ entry into the AFL
- Scheduled for 2028, as competition focuses on expansion
The estimated cost of a planned coastal stadium in Hobart (a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL) has run $60 million over budget.
The developers behind the project on Wednesday published a 4,000-page application for the 23,000-seat indoor stadium at Macquarie Point.
The stadium is a requirement for the Tasmanian Devils’ entry into the AFL, scheduled for 2028.
The $715 million price tag initially announced by the state Liberal government has since risen to $775 million, according to the application.
Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive Anne Beach said the aim was to build the stadium within the $715 million budget.
“It was pitched at $775 million… and then we’ll work through a scoping and value management exercise to bring it within budget,” he said.
“We start with what is required and we are working backwards to achieve what we need to deliver.”
The government has pledged to limit its contribution to $375 million and to offset any excess costs through private investment.
The estimated cost of a planned coastal stadium in Hobart – a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL – has run $60 million over budget (pictured is an artist’s impression of the new ground)
The stadium is a requirement for the Tasmanian Devils’ entry into the AFL, which is scheduled for 2028 (pictured, artist’s impression)
Once completed, the stadium will be located at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
The federal government will contribute $240 million, while the AFL will put up $15 million.
Tasmania’s Minister for Sport and Events Nic Street said there had been informal approaches from private investors.
“We will have a formal process in place and we will be fully transparent with the people of Tasmania about how we will achieve that investment,” he said.
The application estimates that the multi-purpose stadium will host between 36 and 38 events per year, with an “optimistic” figure of between 48 and 51 events.
The fixtures include seven Devils AFL home games, three AFLW home games, two pre-season games, one cricket test match and four BBL games.
It says the venue has the potential to host Women’s Rugby World Cup matches in 2029 and attract international matches and World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments.
Once completed, the project will increase Tasmania’s gross state product by between $27 million and $32 million per year, the application says.
Ms Beach said the stadium was expected to be ready for the 2029 AFL season, as previously announced.
A transparent roof with wooden supports would cost $190 million, but Ms Beach said the price had been factored into the design and that alternatives using light towers could be expensive.
An independent planning body will assess the application, which will need to be voted on by both houses of parliament to get the green light.
The state Labor opposition has backed the stadium after pledging to renegotiate the deal with the AFL in the run-up to the March election.
