Statements
On the Macquarie Point Precinct…
A compilation of media releases and other material regarding the Macquarie Point Precinct.
Media Release – Cassy O’Connor MLC, Greens Member for Hobart, 25 February 2025
Mac Point Thermal Energy Plant Plans Uncovered
In yet another stadium surprise, the Greens have uncovered a major new component of the Macquarie Point development – a thermal energy plant. With next to nothing about this plan in the public domain, Premier Rockliff has some questions to answer.
Years into the stadium debate, with a precinct plan developed, a lengthy planning process complete and a dodgy approval Order put through Parliament late last year, Tasmanians could be forgiven for thinking there’d be no more surprises.
Well, surprise, surprise! Through investigation prompted by documents obtained under RTI, the Greens have uncovered a major new component of the Macquarie Point development.
It turns out that waste and energy contractor Veolia have plans to build a thermal energy plant at Macquarie Point. It involves pumping 4,000 cubic metres – or 4 million litres – of seawater through the site every hour at peak times to help regulate temperatures in the precinct.
That’s a massive amount of water that will be pumped from the River Derwent through the site and back into the river. It’s astounding the Rockliff Government didn’t think to tell the public, or Parliament, about such a major part of the Macquarie Point project.
There are so many questions that need answering. Why haven’t Tasmanians been told about this major development? Why wasn’t Parliament? Where are the plans? Where will it be located on site? Is there a backup plan if it doesn’t go ahead? What will it cost? How is it being funded?
A tender was even awarded in January this year for an impact assessment of the seawater exchange aspect of the project, which is due to be completed in three days. Is the assessment being rushed?
Jeremy Rockliff is no stranger to keeping secrets or fudging the truth when it comes to the stadium, and this latest development shows he hasn’t changed his approach. Tasmanians deserve better. The Premier needs to be fully open with Tasmanians about all of the stadium plans, including this new thermal energy plant. cessary approvals and the appointment of a construction contractor, construction is expected to begin this year.
Media Release – Craig Limkin, Secretary of the Department of State Growth, 6 March 2026
Macquarie Point Precinct Project Design Panel Appointed
A five-member Design Quality and Integrity Review Panel has been established, in line with State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025.
The Panel will ensure the architectural, landscape, urban design solutions of the Macquarie Point Stadium Project will support the delivery of the project through an oversight role.
The panel will provide feedback to assist on the effective development of the project itself.
The members are:
- Scott Balmforth – Strategic Architectural and Urban Design Adviser
- Melissa Ford – Heritage Tasmania Director
- Alexandra O’Mara – Commissioner, NSW Independent Planning Commission
- Michael Rayner – architect and Blight Rayner Director
- Peter Poulet – former Government Architect, NSW Government
Media Release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, 10 March 2026
Test Rig Shows No Need to Jump at Shadows
The roof test rig for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium has been successfully constructed, demonstrating how the structure and materials will work together to let light in while mitigating shadows.
Constructed by local Tasmanian firm BlackCap Group, and developed in close consultation with Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia, this is an exciting milestone for the roof design.
Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, Eric Abetz, said the Tasmanian Government was pleased to see this important component come to life.
“Our roofed stadium has been the talk of the sporting world,” Minister Abetz said.
“The ability for year-round play and entertainment is groundbreaking.
“This structure demonstrates the rigour that is informing design and delivery, and, importantly, the effectiveness of our roof in creating an optimal playing environment.
“Well done to local Tasmanian firm BlackCap Group and to Macquarie Point Development Corporation for their leadership.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank Cricket Tasmania for its commitment and engagement to deliver this significant project. Cricket’s input and close collaboration will help set Tasmania apart as a unique cricket destination.
“Hobart might be the second driest capital city in the nation, but ironically, we have the most rain days.
“We saw it on the mainland during the last Ashes series, rain and professional sport are not always friends.
“Tasmania is entering a new era of opportunity, and the stadium roof means we’re going to have access to a world-class pitch 365 days of the year.
“Our Liberal Government will continue to deliver for Tasmanians, and this innovative world-leading project is at the forefront of what we do best.”
Media Release – Catherine King, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Eric Abetz, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, & Carol Brown, Senator for Tasmania, 26 March 2026
Significant Step Forward for Macquarie Point
Hobart’s Macquarie Point Precinct is one step closer to delivery, with the Australian Government’s acceptance of both the Macquarie Point Precinct Master Plan and Housing Plan.
The Master Plan sets out the vision for an accessible mixed-use precinct and details how it will create a place to gather, celebrate and reflect, through the arts, culture, sport, events and entertainment.
The Master Plan also outlines the long-term strategy to transform the site, bringing together the stadium, public plazas, mixed-use and hospitality spaces.
The precinct will also maintain the transport connectivity and port operations that support Hobart’s freight, logistics and Antarctic research activities.
The Australian Government also has a commitment for the delivery of housing at Macquarie Point, including a portion of that for affordable, essential worker or social housing at Regatta Point.
This will also incorporate a revitalised public waterfront to encourage greater public use of the foreshore and create new commercial spaces.
These Plans satisfy the final non-financial milestones under the Federation Funding Agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, with discussions now underway on financial delivery milestones.
“Macquarie Point will become a world-class, year-round destination for Tasmanians and bring a significant boost to the state’s tourism sector,” Catherine King said.
“The Precinct will be more than a well-deserved home for the Devils – it will create new housing, improve transport links adjacent to the Hobart CBD and upgrade the wharves.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Tasmanian Government to deliver this significant project for Hobart.”
“Our vision for Macquarie Point will turn this industrial wasteland into a thriving precinct, and we’re pleased the Federal Government has endorsed our way forward,” Eric Abetz said.
“This entire project will be distinctly Tasmanian bringing together sports, entertainment, hospitality, accommodation and more into what will be a brand new community precinct for the whole state.
“With this next step complete it signals to the business community, to hoteliers, to builders, to tourism operators and more that now is the time to get ready.”
“I am delighted that the precinct will include housing for allied health professionals and other health-related workers, in an ideal location nearby the Royal Hobart Hospital and the University of Tasmania’s School of Medicine,” Carol Brown said.
“This is a site that has been underused for years, and this plan is about finally unlocking it for the people of Hobart, with housing, public space and a waterfront that actually gets used.”
Media Release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Housing Spokesperson, 2 April 2026
Stadium Will Impact Housing Cost and Supply
A new report from the Housing Industry Association reinforces fears about the negative impact of the stadium on housing, finding it could drive up housing costs and slow the delivery of new homes. The Liberals need to stop putting building a stadium before building homes for Tasmanians.
Ask any tradie and they’ll tell you – they can only just keep up with the current demand for building homes. Add a massive project like the stadium into the mix, and there just isn’t going to be enough skilled tradespeople to get both jobs done.
Many factors, including the cost of the workforce, is going to drive up the already blown-out costs of the stadium. But to add insult to Tasmanians who conclusively reject the stadium, it’s going to mean higher costs and delays for Tasmanians just trying to get a roof over their head. If Hobart has to house a fly-in workforce it’s only going to make things worse.
The Greens have been raising these concerns for a long time. But at every stage, the Liberals have refused to tell Tasmanians the truth about the impact of the stadium on the state’s housing supply.
There’s more than five thousand Tasmanians on the social housing waitlist, rental vacancy rates keep getting lower and rents are rising. Building the homes Tasmanians need should be a top priority for the Rockliff Government.
Instead, they’ve been focussed on building a stadium Tasmanians don’t want and don’t need. It’s time they got their priorities straight and put Tasmanians struggling to get a roof over their heads above their roofed stadium.
Media Release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Acting Leader, 12 April 2026
Where is the Mac Point Master Plan?
Over two weeks after the Federal Government ‘accepted’ the Macquarie Point Precinct Master Plan, it still hasn’t been released to the public for scrutiny. Given the plan was supposed to be completed in June 2025, the Greens call on the Liberals to be transparent with Tasmanians about the stadium and prescient-wide development plans and release the Master Plan.
After ignoring the advice of its own expert planning body and progressing the stadium anyway, the Liberals have created a Master Plan for the stadium site. The Federal Government recently announcing that it had accepted both the Macquarie Point Precinct Master Plan and the Housing Plan.
But Tasmanians are still in the dark about exactly what is in the site Master Plan. The Housing Plan, such that is it, has been released, but not the Master Plan. What is the holdup?
According to Minister Abetz, the Master Plan sets out the vision for the stadium precinct and the long-term strategy to develop the site. But it’s being withheld from the public, nine months after it was due.
Given the Tasmanian Planning Commission raised a number of significant issues and potential problems with the Liberals’ plan to dominate the site with a stadium, Tasmanians deserve to see the Master Plan for themselves.
The expert panel clearly concluded that the stadium would ‘not support or promote integrated urban renewal’ on the site, but Minister Abetz disagreed. The Master Plan is his chance try to demonstrate why and it will be telling to see if the experts’ concerns have been considered.
Media Release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, 15 April 2026
Macquarie Point Site Masterplan Released
The Tasmanian Government has today released the Macquarie Point Site Masterplan.
The report shows the size and location of development across the site, including, residential offerings, commercial offerings, retail and hospitality and the Aboriginal culturally informed zone that make up the precinct.
Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, Eric Abetz, said this vibrant, mixed-use precinct will be a boon for the entire state.
“This holistic masterplan brings together jobs, housing, construction, residential and retail offerings, and everything in between,” Minister Abetz said.
“It demonstrates how each component will work together, how it will provide employment for Tasmanians and how this industrial wasteland will be transformed.”
The report shows that the Residential Foreshore Development has the potential to accommodate approximately 100 dwellings.
“The Macquarie Point site has always been about more than just a stadium, it is something that benefits the community and economy,” Minister Abetz said.
“We have always championed this vision every step of the way and there is a strategic plan in place to deliver these community outcomes.
“We are continuing to drive the urban renewal of this site and to revitalise and activate this area of the city.”
The Macquarie Point Site Masterplan has been developed to support an update to the planning scheme. The planning scheme update will include working with the Hobart City Council as the planning authority and include public consultation.
The submission is expected in the second half of 2026.
The masterplan can be found here.
Media Release – Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA), 15 April 2026
CCAA Welcomes Release of Macquarie Point Site Master Plan
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has welcomed the release of the Macquarie Point Site Master Plan, setting out a clear long-term vision for the redevelopment of a key precinct in central Hobart.
The plan outlines the transformation of a 10-hectare site into a mixed-use precinct incorporating a multipurpose stadium, housing, commercial development and supporting infrastructure.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said the Master Plan represents an important milestone in delivering major infrastructure and urban development outcomes for Tasmania.
“The release of the Macquarie Point Site Master Plan provides a coordinated vision for one of Hobart’s most significant redevelopment opportunities,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“Projects of this scale are critical to supporting jobs, economic activity and the delivery of essential infrastructure and housing for the Tasmanian community.”
Mr Kilgariff said developments like Macquarie Point also highlight the importance of long-term planning to ensure the reliable supply of construction materials in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
“Cement, concrete and aggregates are fundamental to building the infrastructure and housing outlined in this plan, and ensuring their reliable supply is essential to keeping projects on track,” he said.
“In the context of global uncertainty and increasingly constrained supply chains, long-term, coordinated planning for construction materials is more important than ever.”
CCAA is continuing to call for the development of a comprehensive Heavy Construction Materials Plan to support Tasmania’s growing pipeline of infrastructure, housing and energy projects.
As outlined in CCAA’s 2025 Tasmanian Election Policy Priorities, such a plan would help ensure a sustainable, reliable and affordable supply of materials, while improving approvals processes and protecting access to key quarry resources.
Mr Kilgariff said recent analysis of sand supply in Southeast Tasmania reinforces the urgency of this work.
“A Mineral Resources Tasmania study has confirmed that supplies of suitable concrete sand in Southeast Tasmania are effectively exhausted, increasing reliance on materials transported from other regions and placing further pressure on costs and supply chains,” he said.
“A coordinated, whole-of-government approach will help ensure projects like Macquarie Point can be delivered efficiently and at the lowest possible cost to the community.”
“CCAA looks forward to continuing to work with the Tasmanian Government and industry stakeholders to support the successful delivery of this important project.”
Media Release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, 19 April 2026
Tenders Announced for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium
The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium has reached another major milestone, with two firms selected to progress into Stage 1 of the Request for Tender process.
The tenderers are:
- Besix Watpac; and
- Constructure Joint Venture, comprising Webuild S.p.A and China Construction Oceania, with McConnell Dowell as a key partner.
Both tenderers have demonstrated their capacity to manage a build of this scale and have confirmed acceptance of the offer to progress through to the Request for Tender phase.
Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Eric Abetz said the milestone demonstrated strong market confidence in the project and Tasmania.
“This is another important step forward for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium,” Minister Abetz said.
“We have seen strong interest from major contractors capable of delivering a project of this scale and complexity.”
The next phase of procurement will seek detailed submissions covering delivery approach, capability, commercial settings, program and local industry participation.
Minister Abetz said local benefits remained central to the project.
“This project will create opportunities for Tasmanian businesses, subcontractors, workers apprentices and training opportunities as delivery progresses.
“We are delivering for Tasmania by turning a wasteland into a year-round events and function precinct that will provide benefits for all Tasmanians.”
The target date for contract award remains the end of the year.
Media Release – Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania (CCF Tas) & Master Builders Tasmania, 19 April 2026
Construction Sector Ready as Stadium Tender Reaches Next Phase
Construction on the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium is a step closer, with two tenders shortlisted to deliver one of the most important building projects in Tasmania’s history.
CCF Tasmania CEO Andrew Winch said the milestone, combined with the release of the master plan, was a clear signal the project was moving from planning into delivery.
“The combination of a clear master plan and two capable tenderers give industry confidence that Macquarie Point is moving from concept to reality, Mr Winch said.
“It was always going to be the case that a major, multinational builder would lead a project of this size and complexity. The opportunity for Tasmania is for our local businesses to partner with the successful tenderer to upskill and train our workforce.
“We want to see Tasmanian civil businesses working alongside the successful tenderer so the skills and jobs stay here long after the stadium is built.”
Master Builders Tasmania CEO Jenna Cairney said the tender shortlist was a chance to showcase Tasmanian building and construction capability to the two major contractors.
“It’s great to see the stadium project enter the next phase.
“We look forward to engaging with these two tenderers so we can share the capability that exists in the Tasmanian market.
“It’s critical that a major contractor gets a deep understanding of local industry and works side-by-side with our building companies to ensure a legitimate partnership.
“This once in a generation project is the opportunity to inspire and grow the building and construction workforce so we can deliver not just on the stadium but all of the other infrastructure and housing projects across the state.”
Both CCF Tasmania and Master Builders Tasmania said they looked forward to construction on the site beginning as soon as possible.
Media Release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Stadium Spokesperson, 22 April 2026
Government’s Stadium Legal Costs Revealed
Another massive stadium spending bill has been revealed – before construction on the project has even begun. Given the Liberals’ history of stadium cost blowouts, we know the unnecessary spending won’t stop here.
The Liberal Government spent $3.3 million of public money on mainland lawyers to inform its position and strategy of engagement with the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s independent assessment of the stadium project. It’s a simply astonishing amount that delivered a spectacular fail, with the Commission unequivocally concluding that the project ‘should not proceed’.
It’s more unnecessary and extreme spending on the stadium project that is a sign of things to come. After repeated cost blowouts and a broken spending cap promise by the Premier, the Liberals now claim the stadium will cost just over a billion dollars. But with prices going up and the Liberals’ poor history of managing major projects, Tasmanians know the stadium costs won’t stop there.
As the stadium circus moves into the negotiation phase with multi-national construction companies, this legal bill begs the question – how much is budgeted for legal fees to inform the contract negotiations and will this be made public?
Even with their expensive lawyers, the Liberals still couldn’t convince the Planning Commission the stadium should be built. It speaks volumes to just how flawed this project is. The Planning Commission was really clear – this stadium will do more harm than good for this state.
At a time when many Tasmanians cannot afford the basics, the Liberals’ large stadium legal bill shows just how warped their spending priorities are. The Liberal Government should be helping struggling Tasmanians instead of continuing unnecessary and unaffordable stadium spending.