Updated, 2:10pm: Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he hopes construction on the Macquarie Point stadium will commence by Christmas if special enabling legislation passes parliament in July.
Speaking at Macquarie Point today, Rockliff said his government is moving quickly to secure Tasmania’s AFL team by bypassing the regular planning process.
“Should legislation pass the parliament, let’s say in July this year … I would like to see activity on the site, shovels in the ground … by Christmas,” Rockliff said.
The Premier defended the decision to fast-track the project, saying it would create significant employment opportunities for local workers and apprentices.
“This is not just a southern based project, this is a Tasmanian project that all Tasmanians can be very proud of that will deliver a Tasmanian team of which I know there are young boys and girls excited about that opportunity in all corners of the state.”
“When it comes to the visitor economy, when it comes to hotels, pubs, clubs, cafes, you need the enabler.”
“The enabler for a team, the enabler for economic investment, the enabler for transport infrastructure, the enabler for pedestrian access … you’ve got to have the enabler.”
“And the enabler is the stadium.”
More on this story: Labor backs move to fast-track Macquarie Point stadium through Parliament
Earlier: The Tasmanian Government will introduce special legislation to fast-track the Macquarie Point stadium.
The move follows a week of uncertainty and growing concern over the current planning approval process.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the broader precinct development is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity that will help “set up Tasmania for the future”.
“It has become clear over the last week that the current process is undermining certainty and confidence in the future of the precinct and the Tasmania Devils AFL club, impacting construction, recruitment and economic prospects,” Rockliff said.
“We cannot afford not to deliver this project and we cannot afford delays.”
He described the development as “one of the most scrutinised” in Tasmania’s history.
“It will drive economic growth, deliver jobs and, of course, mean Tasmania gets the teams that are rightfully ours,” he said.
The decision comes after the government raised concerns about a draft Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) report, particularly its reliance on an assessment by economist Dr Nicholas Gruen.
The TPC’s draft report found that the costs of the project were ‘approximately double its estimated benefits’ and criticised the ‘overbearing’ form of the stadium.
Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz said the report was “tainted by an apprehension of bias” after it was revealed Gruen met with anti-stadium activists prior to accepting the job.
“At the very least, there is a significant likelihood the concerns raised will lead to lengthy legal challenges regarding any final recommendation and significantly delay the final decision by the Minister to approve the stadium,” Abetz said.
“To be clear, we are very supportive of the TPC and the important work it has carried out. We will continue to work through the report and whatever public feedback there is on it.”
“We will keep extracting what we can to inform good and proper planning decisions around the stadium, to make the precinct the best it possibly can be.”
Despite bypassing the usual planning procedures, the government says Parliament will still have full oversight of the project.
The stadium legislation will require approval in both the lower house, where it has Labor’s support, and the Legislative Council, where the government will need to secure the backing of at least two independent members.
“Every Member of the Parliament will have their say on this project, just as they would have through the POSS (Project of State Significance process),” Rockliff said.
Public submissions on the Planning Commission’s draft report remain open until 8 May, with the new legislation expected to go out for consultation next month.
More on this story: Labor backs move to fast-track Macquarie Point stadium through Parliament
