Using the Project of State Significance (POSS) process to progress the proposed Macquarie Point stadium offers the “best opportunity” for its success, Labor leader Dean Winter believes.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission is expected to hand down its final POSS report into the $945 million development by September.
That could happen before any enabling legislation is re-tabled in parliament, potentially paving the way for the project to proceed under existing planning laws.
Speaking on Thursday, Winter said Labor had consistently backed the POSS process over special legislation.
He said Premier Jeremy Rockliff had abandoned proper planning procedures when special legislation was introduced during the last parliament.
“I think at this stage we should go through the Project of State Significance process,” Winter said.
“It’s clear there’s no advantage in terms of timelines around direct legislation and the POSS process delivers more certainty and is more likely to be supported, particularly through the Legislative Council.”
“We always stood by the Project of State Significance process and I think now given the timelines have changed, it delivers the best opportunity to get the stadium delivered.”
Pressed on what Labor would do if the final report advised against building the stadium at Macquarie Point, Winter couldn’t say.
“We will wait to see what it actually says,” he said.
The stadium currently has backing from the Liberals, independent David O’Byrne and Labor in the lower house.
It is facing strong opposition from the Greens, independents Craig Garland, Kristie Johnston, Peter George and Carlo Di Falco of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.
