A Hobart councillor will make a fresh bid to stop the Macquarie Point stadium on Monday night when he moves a motion urging state MPs to vote it down.
Councillor Mike Dutta will ask the council to formally urge the state government and all parliamentarians to reject the $1.13 billion development when it comes before parliament.
His motion also calls on the government to renegotiate with the AFL and explore alternative stadium options that “better meets the needs of the community”.
“The City of Hobart does not support the multi-purpose stadium being built at this location, as the negative impacts outweigh the positive benefits,” the motion states.
Dutta’s motion claims the stadium plans have “removed the option” of an Aboriginal culturally informed zone “becoming a reality” at Macquarie Point.
It directs the council’s CEO to look into other council-owned land that could be suitable for such a cultural space elsewhere.
However, the state government has maintained the stadium precinct will still include an Aboriginal cultural zone, with an area “to the west” of the site set aside for that purpose.
In its official response to the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s findings, the government said the development would “provide opportunities to showcase Tasmania’s Aboriginal and historical cultural heritage within the precinct including through a dedicated Aboriginal culturally informed zone”.
The motion follows the commission’s recommendation against the project.
The council previously voted in April to oppose the development, citing concerns about heritage impacts, environmental damage and transport infrastructure.
Council staff, in their advice to elected members, said Dutta’s motion is consistent with the council’s existing position.
In response to news of Dutta’s motion, Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Eric Abetz said the state government stands by the project.
“The Government is committed to transforming what has been an industrial wasteland for over a decade into an iconic gateway to our State, with a multipurpose stadium capable of hosting AFL and international cricket, as well as major concerts and events, at its core,” he said.
“This project has the potential to be completely transformative – not only for the broader Macquarie Point Precinct, but for Tasmania – encouraging more opportunities across the city including for our tourism and hospitality sector.”
An order to approve the stadium will be debated in the lower house when parliament resumes in November, with an upper house vote expected in early December.
The public is being invited to explore the design for the stadium and precinct between 11am and 4pm on Friday October 31 and 10am to 4pm from Saturday November 1 to Wednesday November 5 at The Goods Shed.
