Tasmanian Treasurer Eric Abetz has likened Hobart’s proposed Macquarie Point stadium to the Eiffel Tower, claiming iconic structures often face initial opposition before becoming much loved landmarks.
The comparison came just hours after the Tasmanian Planning Commission recommended against building the Hobart waterfront project, among other issues finding it would burden the state with debt reaching $1.8 billion within a decade.
“The Eiffel Tower in Paris was considered to be a monstrosity and an eyesore by the artists and intellectuals in the 1880s,” Abetz said during an interview on ABC Radio on Wednesday.
“Today it is the iconic feature of Paris that puts Paris on the world map. When you mention Paris, people say Eiffel Tower. Similar criticisms were made of the Sydney Opera House.”
“With these major developments, you will always get the naysayers. They then all of a sudden become iconic and attract literally millions of people to that particular destination.”
Asked about the financial risks for future generations, Abetz rejected concerns about potential tax increases.
“It won’t be a tax increase. We will be absorbing that in the budget,” he said.
The treasurer also warned of “reputational damage” if the stadium is abandoned, saying it would signal to investors that Tasmania is too difficult to do business in.
“The message it sends to other Australians who want to invest or indeed international investors is it’s just simply too hard to do business to get anything with a degree of excitement of vision up in Tasmania,” Abetz said.
Despite the setback, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to push ahead.
“We will ensure, as we’ve always done, that … all the dreams and the aspirations and the economic and social opportunities presented with the Macquarie Point stadium, the precinct and indeed the Tasmanian Devils footy team will come to fruition,” Rockliff said.
Labor, meanwhile, says the government must address the “significant challenges” highlighted in the commission’s report.
Leader Josh Willie yesterday said they would take time to consider the findings before deciding on a position.
