- Stadium to be built at Macquarie Point in Hobart
- Is a requirement for the Tasmanian Devils to join the AFL
- Planned for 2028, as competitors have no desire to expand
The estimated cost of a planned waterfront stadium in Hobart – a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL – has been overspent by $60 million.
The developers behind the project published a 4,000-page application for the 23,000-seat indoor stadium at Macquarie Point on Wednesday.
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 been increased to $775 million, according to the filing.
Anne Beach, CEO of Macquarie Point Development Corporation, said the aim was to build the stadium within the $715 million budget.
“It’s presented at $775 million…and then we’re going to do a scope and value management exercise to bring it within budget,” she said.
“We started with what was needed and worked backwards to what we needed to deliver.”
The government has pledged to limit its contribution to $375 million and to offset any cost overruns with private investment.
The estimated cost of a planned waterfront stadium in Hobart – a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL – has gone over budget by $60 million (pictured is a rendering of the new field).
The stadium is a requirement for the Tasmanian Devils’ entry into the AFL, scheduled for 2028 (photo, artist’s impression)
Once completed, the stadium will be located at Macquarie Point in Hobart
The federal government is contributing $240 million, while the AFL is contributing $15 million.
Tasmania’s Minister for Sport and Events Nic Street said there had been informal approaches from private investors.
“We will put in place a formal process and we will be completely transparent with the people of Tasmania about how we secure that investment,” he said.
According to the application, the multi-purpose stadium will host 36 to 38 events per year, with an “optimistic” figure of 48 to 51 events.
The fixtures consist of seven Devils AFL home matches, three AFLW home matches, two Test matches, one Cricket Test match and four BBL matches.
According to the stadium, there is potential to host Women’s Rugby World Cup matches in 2029, as well as international matches and tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
The application estimates that Tasmania’s gross domestic product will increase by $27-32 million per year upon completion.
Ms Beach said the stadium is expected to be ready for the 2029 AFL season, as previously announced.
A wood-supported, transparent roof would cost $190 million, but Ms. Beach said that price was already factored into the design and that alternatives using light poles could be expensive.
An independent planning authority will assess the application, which must be approved by both houses of parliament to get the green light.
The state’s opposition Labor Party is backing the stadium after promising to renegotiate the deal with the AFL ahead of the March election.