Tasmania’s Legislative Council has given the green light to the $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium, clearing the final hurdle for the contentious project after months of political debate.
The upper house voted nine to five in favour of the roofed multi-purpose Hobart venue around 11pm on Thursday night.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff was quick to celebrate the decision on social media.
“Mac Point has just passed the Tasmanian parliament. Our democracy has spoken. Let’s unite and move forward together,” he said.
The 23,000-seat stadium is central to Tasmania’s deal with the AFL to launch its own team from 2028.
The result was largely sealed on Wednesday when four independents – Bec Thomas, Dean Harriss, Casey Hiscutt and Tania Rattray – confirmed their backing.
They were joined by Liberals Nick Duigan, Jo Palmer and Kerry Vincent, plus Labor members Luke Edmunds and Sarah Lovell.
Voting against were independents Meg Webb, Ruth Forrest, Mike Gaffney and Rosemary Armitage, alongside Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor.
O’Connor and Webb led opposition questioning throughout Thursday’s Legislative Council session, during which the order was read through clause by clause.
They raised concerns about event logistics, pedestrian access, public transport and protections for Aboriginal heritage sites.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission had flagged similar issues in its independent assessment, though the government dismissed these as matters of opinion rather than substantive obstacles.
Ministers had earlier tried to bypass the planning process with stadium-specific legislation, but an election triggered by a no-confidence motion over budget matters saw those laws expire.
The commission’s final report recommended against the project, pointing to economic risks and planning deficiencies. Despite this, the government pressed ahead.
Tendering for construction will begin early next year, with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation tasked with securing a head contractor by late 2026.
Builders must complete the venue before the 2029 AFL season.
The Tasmania Devils will enter the competition in 2028, spending their inaugural season at Bellerive Oval and York Park before moving to their permanent home.
