Federal Group has come out swinging against the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, warning it would dominate Hobart’s waterfront and permanently alter the city’s iconic harbour views.
Daniel Hanna, Executive General Manager of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Federal Group, told ABC Radio the scale of the stadium would dramatically reshape the area.
He said the waterfront, home to their heritage-listed Henry Jones Art Hotel and MACq 01, would be “changed forever” if the stadium is built.
“We’ve got some real concerns around that location,” Hanna said.
“The scale of the stadium that is proposed is really going to loom over what we believe has been and we’ve invested in over many decades as a maritime heritage precinct.”
“And I’m not sure that a stadium in that location is consistent with what we believe that precinct has been about.”
Federal Group recently commissioned EMRS polling, which revealed many Tasmanians oppose the government’s decision to bypass the Tasmanian Planning Commission in favour of pushing approval through Parliament.
“We believe that process is the one that should be followed. Let’s ventilate all of these issues,” Hanna said, urging the government to “take a deep breath” and avoid further division over the project.
Instead, Hanna said Federal Group supports the so-called ‘Stadium 2.0’ concept, a proposal for a stadium further around the Regatta Grounds.
“That project certainly on the face of it would alleviate most of our concerns. I think it’s a better location,” he said.
“In terms of the heritage vistas from the Hobart waterfront, you wouldn’t see that project from the Hobart waterfront.”
The EMRS polling also revealed strong public concern about potential cost blowouts, with many doubting the government can stick to its promised $375 million cap.
Over the weekend, former deputy premier Michael Ferguson fired back, calling it “ironic” for Federal Group to demand respect for “existing laws and processes” after opposing changes to gambling legislation.
The government is expected to introduce the stadium legislation to Parliament within weeks.
