Transcript of interview with Councillor Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart, New Town, 5 May 2023
Journalist – unidentified
So what will you do to make sure your position on the stadium continues to be made clear as plans progress.
Anna Reynolds
The council is working with some other stakeholders having input into the precinct plan, the master plan that the federal government has said is really essentially before their funding can be finalised. So we’re really pleased with the Federal Government’s has made that commitment, made that request of the state government. We will be working with the RSL, the Regatta Association and First Nations people to ensure that those views as well as the council’s views about what would be good for the site is inputted into the future plans.
Journalist – unidentified
Do you think the views of Tasmanians against the stadium will have softened as a result of the footy fever caused by this week’s AFL announcement?
Anna Reynolds
I think there’s a range of views out there in the community. I’m certainly hearing a lot of feedback from people. As much as anything, there is just a concern that the process has been really, has gone around the community and has involved a lot of money. So I think it’s going to be continuing range of views in the community, on a very significant investment public funding, so I think ourselves and the community more broadly will be keeping a very close eye on the project and really keen into ensure that the process from this point forward is one which involves a much broader range of people rather than just the AFL.
Journalist – Judy Augustine
Now, that this (inaudible) has been supported, are you feeling a bit … (inaudible)
Anna Reynolds
I don’t think my views have really changed. Personally, I think we’ve all been surprised by the way the process has really evolved in a very short time. The council signed off on a plan, a master plan for Macquarie Point, and then that direction shifted dramatically six months ago. My fellow elected members and myself have only had one formal meeting with the state government. So I think it’s fair that the council and the community feels like the process hasn’t been ideal, and hopefully things can change a bit going forward.
