Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged an additional $240 million to the state government to build a new stadium in Hobart, which is set to pave the way for Tasmania’s own AFL team.
The stadium funding will go towards ‘redeveloping Hobart’s waterfront’, including refreshing crown land from Macquarie Point to Regatta Point, core funding for the stadium, as well as transport infrastructure, port upgrades, and housing.
The announcement to build the Macquarie Point sporting facility had been widely tipped this week after the AFL said Tasmania’s entry to the competition could only happen with the construction of the $715 million stadium.
The additional $375 million will come from the Tasmanian government, $15 million will come from the AFL, and another $85 million will come from commercial land sales.
The Albanese government has also committed $65 million to match state government funding for upgrades to UTAS stadium in Launceston.
Albanese said he had been a supporter of Tasmania getting an AFL team and that it’s a positive thing that Tasmania will have its own AFL team, which should be a team for the whole of Tasmania as well.
The UTAS Stadium redevelopment will deliver a new eastern stand, improved playing facilities, and an entertainment precinct.
