‘Immense damage’ if new AFL stadium doesn’t go ahead

The state government claims Tasmania will suffer major reputational damage and “the next generation will fail” if a $1.13 billion stadium is not built.

The Liberals, unmoved by their support for the Macquarie Point venue, have published their response to a State Planning Commission report recommending it should not go ahead.

The commission said the cost of the 23,000-seat roofed venue outweighed the benefits, saying it was too large for the waterfront site and would affect the heritage of the area.

The stadium, which must be voted on by Parliament to be approved, is a condition of Tasmania entering the AFL and AFLW in 2028.

“The opportunities this project provides for Tasmanians is something we cannot and should not give up,” the government response published on Wednesday said. he said.

“The reputational damage to our state would be tremendous.

“To walk away now would be to walk away from much more than just a stadium.”

The commission said the state government would accumulate $1 billion in debt for construction, rising to $1.8 billion within a decade.

He also said the cost-benefit ratio is less than 0.5, meaning that for every $1 spent at less than 50 cents, there will be a smaller direct benefit.

In response, the government said the rate merely meant that the stadium’s “measurable benefits are less than its measurable costs.”

The government said the stadium would create jobs, investment and long-lasting intergenerational benefits that cannot be easily measured, such as community pride and belonging.

He added that failing to build the venue would be giving up business for the next generation and giving up the chance to inspire the next generation of athletes.

The Greens and our anti-stadium group Hobart said the government was producing glossy propaganda repeating the same arguments the commission rejected.

“The commission found Tasmanians would be worse off because the government was forced to raise taxes or reduce services to pay for the stadium,” Greens leader Vica Bayley said. he said.

“This government’s response does nothing to clarify exactly how much Premier (Jeremy) Rockliff will pay for this.

“Tasmanians can’t afford a stadium when health and housing services are already underfunded.”

The stadium project is expected to receive a vote in Parliament in November.

The Labor opposition has pledged support, meaning it will pass the lower house, but it is more difficult with the votes of three of the eight independents it must pass the way of the upper house.

The government said the stadium would increase government debt, but it would have to be paid off within the life of the stadium, which is estimated to be 30-50 years.

He added that modest impacts on the site’s heritage could be justified by the stadium’s transformation opportunities.

The venue will also provide an “iconic gateway” to Hobart, a unique opportunity not seen since the opening of the Museum of Old and New Art.