Media release – Prime Minister, Premier of Tasmania, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Small Business, 29 April 2023

MACQUARIE POINT TO BE REVITALISED WITH GOVERNMENT CO-INVESTMENTS
MEDIA RELEASE

A once in a generation vision for Hobart’s last remaining waterfront and urban development site will be realised, under a partnership between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.

A Federal Government investment of $240 million under the 2023-24 Budget, will help unlock the potential of the Macquarie Point precinct, cementing the site as the next step in building a more vibrant Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government will develop a refreshed precinct plan that stretches from Macquarie Point through to crown land at Regatta Point, including a focus on transport connections, while prioritising Hobart port upgrades and housing for Tasmanians.

Housing is recognised as a central part of the broader precinct. In consultation with stakeholders, crown land at Regatta Point will be developed through a public-private partnership, delivering a mix of waterfront housing, including affordable homes and housing for critical health workers and veterans.

A refreshed plan for the site and engagement with the community, will guide the project so it delivers on the priorities of the Hobart locals. This includes working with First Nations groups, Hobart City Council and RSL Tasmania to ensure all existing and proposed uses respect the history of the site and region.

The Australian Government will also invest $65 million towards the planned UTAS Stadium redevelopment in Launceston, supporting economic activity and the proud sporting legacy of Tasmania’s north.

Australian Government funding in the site supports existing investments in Macquarie Point by the Tasmanian Government of $375 million and UTAS Stadium of $65 million.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This exciting precinct plan will provide real affordable housing for Tasmanians, real jobs and new transport solutions.”

“This sets up Macquarie Point as the future jewel in the crown for Hobart. A place where people can live, work and come together.”

Quotes attributable to the Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff:

“The Urban Renewal project has a multi-purpose stadium at its core, which will inspire economic activity around it and strengthen our economy for decades to come.”

“It will be a unique destination to attract visitors to our state, and will finally mean Tassie can host events that have previously bypassed the state. It creates certainty for investment and thousands of new jobs which will give young people a reason to stay in Tasmania.”

Comments attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with the Tasmanian Government and local councils to revitalise this site in a way that benefits everybody who uses it and wants to be part of it.”

“This site has been dormant for too long and I am pleased that this Federal Government funding will unlock its potential. Negotiations with the Tasmanian Government have ensured that the infrastructure the state needs will be prioritised on the site.”

“These investments are part of our Government’s commitment to creating a sustainable investment framework for our growing cities.”

Comments attributable to Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins:

“After a decade of inaction at Macquarie Point, this plan represents a huge opportunity for Tasmania. I’m particularly pleased that housing is a central part of the precinct plan.”

This will build on the work the Albanese Government is already doing to ensure more Tasmanians have a safe and affordable place to call home.”

Media release – Cassy O’Connor MP, Greens Leader, 29 April 2023

Stadium Announcement a Betrayal

Today’s announcement of $240 million in Federal funding for unwanted, unneeded Macquarie Point stadium is a betrayal of the Tasmanian people.

Tasmania has the fastest growing rate of homelessness in the nation, and has in a handful of years become the least affordable place to rent a home.

Yet apparently both Anthony Albanese and Jeremy Rockliff think it’s more important to put a roof over a billion dollar stadium than it is to put a roof over the heads of those living in tents, cars, and on couches.

Overwhelmingly, Tasmanians don’t want this stadium.

They see Tasmania lag the nation in so many areas of healthcare. They read the headlines about people dying while ramped or waiting for an ambulance, and they wonder how anyone could think a billion dollars would be better spent on a place to play footy we don’t even need.

The contempt for struggling Tasmanians was palpable with today’s announcement by the PM.

While the poorest Tasmanians have seen the cost of housing grow 10 times faster than government income support, has the Premier taken the fight to Canberra to lift these appallingly inadequate payments? No, but he’s been more than happy to fight for this unneeded, unwanted stadium and a debt that will be saddled on to generations of Tasmanians.

Just imagine what could be achieved for our wonderful island home and its people if our Premier and Prime Minister were as passionate about delivering real outcomes for everyday Tasmanians as they are about this billion dollar white elephant.

Jeremy Rockliff and Anthony Albanese might be celebrating today, but they can be rest assured that Tasmanians from all walks of life will make sure this terrible mistake is front and centre at the next State and Federal elections.

Media release – Nick McKim, Greens Senator for Tasmania, 29 April 2023

Stadium Funding Shows Warped Labor Priorities

The Federal Government’s decision to spend four times as much on an unnecessary Hobart stadium as Tasmanian housing shows Labor’s warped priorities, the Greens say.

“Tasmania needs public housing, not a new stadium,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson and Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“The Prime Minister often talks about his own experience in public housing. Today’s announcement shows that he has completely forgotten his roots.”

“He should stop telling his own story until he raises the rate and does something meaningful for those who need help today.”

“He drove past families sleeping in tents to give hundreds of millions of dollars for an unnecessary stadium.”

“Mr Albanese is about to hand down an austerity budget – yet somehow that austerity doesn’t apply to his mates in the corporate boxes.”

Media release – Senator Tammy Tyrrell, JLN Senator for Tasmania, 29 April 2023

TYRRELL TELLS ROCKLIFF TO WALK AWAY FROM STADIUM

Senator Tammy Tyrrell is not surprised, but disappointed by the news today that the Federal Government will sink $240 million into the proposed Hobart stadium and Macquarie Point precinct.

Senator Tyrrell and Senator Lambie continue to run a petition against the stadium online. It has been signed by almost 4,500 Tasmanians so far: https://lambienetwork.com.au/pages/tassiestadium.

Lines attributable to Senator Tammy Tyrrell:

“I’m disappointed the Federal Government has agreed to sink $240million into the Hobart stadium.

“Tasmanians didn’t ask for this. Taxpayer money is being thrown away on a stadium because the AFL said we needed one. They said jump, and the Tasmanian Liberals asked ‘how high?’

“The money going to this project could do a hell of a lot for the most vulnerable people in our community. The ones sleeping in tents. The ones who can’t afford to pay for their medication.

“I’m telling the Tasmanian Liberals and Jeremy Rockliff that it’s not too late. There’s still time to walk away from the Hobart stadium. It takes a strong leader to say, ‘I’ve listened to what Tasmanians want, and I’ve changed my mind.’

“The Premier has a choice: will he choose his pride, or our healthcare and housing?”

Media release – Tasmanian Hotels Association, 29 April 2023

Multi purpose stadium a game changer for Tasmanian hospitality

The realisation of a multi-purpose stadium at the Macquarie Point precinct, which will be delivered following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s funding commitment this morning, is a historic moment for Tasmania.

A state-of-the-art stadium, only a stone’s throw from the heartbeat of the state’s capital city, will reinvigorate not only Hobart but provide countless opportunities for regions right across Tasmania.

As a current JackJumpers board member and former president of local SFL and TSL clubs as well as the Hobart Chargers, Steve Old knows what a Tasmanian team in the AFL will do for the next generation of aspiring athletes, now the final piece of the puzzle to obtain the 19th licence has been placed.

However the Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive said the benefits for other industries will be just as profound.

“In just two years of existence the JackJumpers have united Tasmania, proving the desire to support our state against the rest of the country,” Mr Old said. “To have an AFL side of our own, after decades of campaigning, will do exactly the same.

“But this funding commitment for a multi-purpose stadium is bigger than just football. The injection it will provide into the hospitality industry will be arguably greater than we have ever seen.

“AFL fans are among the most passionate in Australia and we have seen with both Hawthorn and North Melbourne playing games in the state, their supporters will travel to watch matches at UTAS Stadium and Blundstone Arena.

“This fills our cafes, our restaurants, our pubs and our hotels and often fans will spend several days exploring the other wonderful and regional parts of the state.

“Of course, this new stadium will not just be for sport, but it will provide a venue for world class music acts and other entertainment.

“The economic impact it will unlock is a golden opportunity to further elevate Tasmania, our people, our produce and our destinations which are already so highly regarded and globally recognised.

“I applaud Mr Albanese for this commitment and look forward to the benefits it brings.”

Statement – Labor Leader Rebecca White, 29 April 2023

— untitled —

“Tasmanian Labor has always supported our bid for an AFL and AFLW team, but we have been equally clear that a billion-dollar taxpayer funded stadium should not be a condition for us to get a licence and is the wrong priority for our State.”

“After ten years of a Liberal Government, Tasmania is in the middle of a health, housing and cost of living crisis.”

“If I was Premier and had a billion dollars to spend to benefit Tasmanians, I would spend it on real priorities like improving our health system, building more housing and lowering the cost of living.”

Editor’s note: Leader Rebecca White is expected to speak to the media on Sunday 29 April about the issue.

Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, 29 April 2023

Albanese Risks Throwing Good Money After Bad

For months now, the people I talk to want their governments to focus on making their lives better – better health services, affordable housing options, safer streets, community sports and recreation facilities – not a concrete mausoleum to pander to the AFL gods.

Now today we have the spectacle of the Prime Minister swanning into town throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at a football stadium.

Oh, and something he calls an ‘urban renewal project’ that risks being anything but.

I fear ‘urban renewal’ has been tacked on in a desperate attempt to dress up the project.

Anthony Albanese was federal infrastructure minister when his Labor government gave Tasmania $50 million back in 2012 to kick-start development at Mac Point. And what happened over the succeeding ten long years? Practically nothing. Some remediation, nice offices, and fat salaries for public servants.

How can Mr Albanese for an instant believe the Tasmanian State Government will deliver on this project? They’ve already burned the fifty million in seed funding. Then look at the mess which was the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital. Huge cost and time blow-outs. And don’t get me started on the Southern Outlet fifth lane fiasco.

Just this week in the media the Premier has refused to say who will pick up the bill for any cost over-runs.

But we know the answer: the Tasmanian taxpayer.

This project, with all its faults and flaws, relies on the State Government to deliver the outcome on the ground. Good luck with that, Mr Albanese.

My message to both federal and state governments is stop and think about the priorities you should have: delivering the safest, kindest and most prosperous lives possible for our people. That should be your legacy, not a football white elephant.

Statement – Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania, 29 April 2023

Macquarie Point Development

Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania welcome the Australian Government’s funding announcement that the Macquarie Point precinct development will enable the proposed new stadium in Tasmania to become a reality. Building on the funding commitment recently announced by the Tasmanian Government, it presents a fantastic opportunity for cricket in the state.

Cricket has always valued working in partnership with the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, and is committed to ongoing discussions about the new stadium and any potential impact this may have on future cricket content and infrastructure – including Blundstone Arena and high performance facilities.

There is still a lot of detail to work through in all of these areas, and it is expected that both Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia would be key stakeholders in the process for designing and delivering a new stadium. Importantly, we want to ensure the development of the best possible facility to host all forms of cricket.

We also welcome the funding announced by both governments for the redevelopment of UTAS Stadium, reinforcing the commitment to cricket and enabling fans to experience and enjoy high-level cricket across the state.

Joint Statement – Ross Doddridge, President of the Royal Hobart Regatta Association; John Hardy, RSL Tasmania; Councillor Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart; Andrew Wilke MP, Federal Member for Clark, 26 April 2023

Rushed and flawed planning will see poor outcomes for Hobart

We are deeply concerned about a proposal by the Tasmanian State Government to undertake an apartment project at Regatta Point as part of a broader plan for the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point.

We understand that a ohusing development proposal is being thrown together in haste after a request from the Australian Government who want to see a ‘nod’ to housing as part any funding bid for an AFL stadium.

We are concerned that this project is drawing on very limited information and a total lack of consultation with or respect for key stakeholders and caretakers of the land in question.

Our concerns are as follows:

  1. There is a danger to privatise the public foreshore of the River Derwent – the proposed Regatta Point site is public land that has been accessible and culturally significant for nearly 200 years. It has been the location of the Hobart Regatta since 1838 and includes several jetties and the only public access boat ramp in this municipality. It is one of only a small number of places where the Hobart community can easily connect with the River Derwent. While we presume there will be some continued public access to the waterfront, there be a conflict between public interest and private amenity of apartment owners.
  2. A poor location for housing – the location for the apartments is a narrow strip of land which sits between the River Derwent and Cenotaph Hill, cut off the site from the active, urban part of the City. Alternative sites for housing in the CBD or North-Hobart will provide better opportunities for integration into city life that will also be easier and cheaper to develop.
  3. A flawed attempt to activate Macquarie Point with people – the size of the proposed stadium doesn’t allow for any other mixed uses directly around it, so most of the time the site will be devoid of people. The apartments project is not of a scale to provide substantial activation required for the site. This housing proposal is a ‘nod’ to a broader range of uses but is so poorly sited and conceived that it ends up looking like a tokenistic add on.
  4. Impacts on both Regatta Grounds and Cenotaph is an insult to Hobart’s cultural places – important caretakers of these historic places have been informed but not genuinely consulted. The stadium’s size is a huge concern because of its visual and looming over impact on the Cenotaph and now another knock-on effect is the need to take over public foreshore, because there’s no room left at Macquarie Point to create a mixed precinct.

The rush to select a random grab-bag of proposals is extraordinarily poor planning and bound to lead to bad decisions that our community will regret for many years. We anticipate that there will be a significant public backlash against the loss of this public land for a poorly conceived project.

We urge the Prime Minister to reject any financial support for these poorly conceived plans for Macquarie and Regatta Points.