Media Release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, 13 April 2025

Next steps for the Macquarie Point Precinct

The Tasmanian Government will introduce enabling legislation to Parliament to progress approvals for the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project.

It follows significant concerns raised about the current planning process.

Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said the Macquarie Point Precinct is a once-in-a-generation project that will set up Tasmania for the future.

“It has become clear over the last week that the current process is undermining certainty and confidence in the future of the Precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club, impacting construction, recruitment and economic prospects,” Premier Rockliff said.

“We cannot afford not to deliver this project. And we cannot afford delays.

“This has been one of the most scrutinised projects in the state’s history.

“It will drive economic growth, deliver jobs, and, of course, mean Tasmania gets the teams that are rightfully ours.

“Every Member of the Parliament will have their say on this project – just as they would have through the POSS.

“It’s time we got on building it.”

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz cited recent concerns about the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s draft Integrated Assessment Report’s scope and reliance on an assessment prepared by Dr Gruen.

“It is the government’s view that Dr Gruen’s report has been tainted by an apprehension of bias, undermining the Government’s confidence in the Integrated Assessment Report.

“At the very least, there is a significant likelihood the concerns raised will lead to lengthy legal challenges regarding any final recommendation and significantly delay the final decision by the Minister to approve the stadium.

“To be clear: we are very supportive of the TPC and the important work it has carried out.

“We will continue to work through the report – and whatever public feedback there is on it.

“We will keep extracting what we can to inform good and proper planning decisions around the stadium, to make the precinct the best it possibly can be.”

Public representations on the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s draft Integrated Assessment Report will continue as planned until May 8, allowing all Tasmanians the opportunity to provide their feedback.

The legislation is expected to be released for public consultation in May.

 

 

Media Release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader 13 April 2025 

Premier Repeats Pulp-Mill Disaster With Stadium

Jeremy Rockliff has officially taken Tasmania to an even worse place than Paul Lennon did with his Pulp Mill legislation.

The Premier’s announcement to push through special fast-track legislation for the Macquarie Point stadium is an act of utter desperation and gutter politics, designed to avoid genuine assessment in the process he himself championed.

Jeremy Rockliff has slandered independent experts, cooked up phony legal arguments, and deliberately tried to mislead Tasmanians – all in an attempt to justify his announcement to fast-track Parliament’s approval of the stadium.

Nobody has asked for this – not even the AFL, who repeatedly said they were happy with the timeline underway.

Obviously, the Premier has come to realise just how many major problems there are with his stadium, and knows he has no hope of getting approval from the Planning Commission’s experts. He also wants to avoid Tasmanian people having their say, and the scathing scrutiny his stadium will get through a public hearings process.

His reckless approach will likely cost the state even more in the long run if the stadium is approved. Ramming the stadium through Parliament, and ignoring the insurmountable and unaddressed planning problems, will significantly increase the risk of cost blowouts, unforeseen problems, and mismanagement.

If Tasmanians thought the Spirits fiasco was bad, they should brace themselves for a stadium saga that is much worse if this special legislation passes Parliament.

Many will be furious about this shameful decision. Our state deserves more than a billion dollars spent on a stadium we don’t need – instead of being invested in homes and healthcare.

The Greens stand with the majority of Tasmanians who do not want this disastrous, wasteful, unnecessary stadium to be built. We will not give up in the fight, and Labor should grow a spine and stand with the majority of Tasmanians too.

 

Media Release – Miriam Beswick, Member for Braddon, Rebekah Pentland, Member for Bass, 13 April 2025 

Predictable Twist in Stadium Saga

Northern independents Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland say the State Government’s intention to scrap the Project of State Significance Process is frustrating, disappointing, and entirely predictable.

“The twists in Home and Away are harder to predict than this,” Mrs Beswick said.

“The Premier has been laying the groundwork for this move for weeks.

“This project needs rigorous assessment but now, politics is unfortunately ruling the roost.

“The Tasmanian Planning Commission has identified a long list of issues that need addressing before work can commence but it seems the State Government is in a hurry.

“Transport, access and environmental issues cannot be glossed over for the sake of the AFL’s timeline.”

Bass Independent Rebekah Pentland says the project is too big to take chances with.

“The State Government seems more interested in moving the goalposts than actually kicking goals. Mrs Pentland said.

“This is an enormous infrastructure project, and it deserves the most thorough scrutiny process available.

“The State Government’s decision will only deepen the public’s already fragile confidence in this process.

“No matter where people stand on this project, I firmly believe they want the planning process to be comprehensive.

“The Government must go above and beyond to assure Tasmanians that corners won’t be cut.

“This is the danger of having the timeline of an enormous project being dictated by the agreement with the AFL.

“It is not conducive to good governance.

“I would urge the Government to provide the details of its proposed legislation as soon as possible.”