Cost of Macquarie Point Stadium rockets

Image: Macquarie Point

The cost of the proposed multi-purpose Macquarie Point Stadium in Tasmania, Australia has rocketed to A$945 million, the state government has revealed.

Pulse Tasmania said the new figure was released as draft legislation was unveiled to fast-track the project in Hobart.

The new price tag marks an A$200 million increase on the most recent estimate of A$745 million and is A$230 million above the original A$715 million budget announced when the project was first unveiled.

The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium is a significant infrastructure development project that will be a key part of the urban renewal of Mac Point. The 23,000-capacity, roofed venue is scheduled to begin construction in 2025 and open in 2029 as the home ground of Tasmania Football Club.

Tasmania Football Club, nicknamed the ‘Devils’, is a professional Australian Rules football club set to compete in the AFL from the 2028 season and the AFL Women’s league from an unspecified date. The club will be based in Tasmania with matches to be played across the State.

When it starts play in 2028, Tasmania Football Club will play its home games at the existing 20,000-capacity Bellerive Oval in Hobart and at the 21,000-capacity York Park in Launceston, Tasmania, while the Macquarie Point Stadium is built.

COX Architecture was last year named as the Lead Design Consultant for the Macquarie Point stadium.

Pulse Tasmania further stated that with A$240 million pledged by the federal government and A$15 million from the AFL, Tasmania will now need to borrow some of the remaining $690 million to get the stadium built.

Minister Eric Abetz revealed the updated figures alongside draft laws that would sidestep the usual planning process to help push the project through.

He said, “We have been remediating and preparing Macquarie Point for development for over twelve years and we know this land is the best available CBD site for a stadium.

“It is time to draw a line in the sand and provide certainty for our own AFL team and the enabling infrastructure that is critical to make our team a success.

“The impact the multipurpose stadium will have on our economy, jobs and investment is simply an opportunity we can’t miss. Now, it’s time we got on with building it.”

According to Abetz, the government brought in an experienced quantity surveyor to conduct a “robust assessment” of the stadium’s cost, leading to the significantly higher figure.

The updated $945 million estimate now includes detailed allowances for kitchen gear, food and beverage operations, communications tech and design changes to support cricket alongside AFL matches.

The funding model remains unchanged, Abetz said, with the government confirming the balance of costs will be met through borrowings by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

The bill is out for public consultation for three weeks, then it will be tabled in parliament and up for debate.

The government is hoping to pass it through the Legislative Council in July, which requires the support of three Upper House independents.

If the legislation passes, the Project of State Significance process will end. And the stadium will be approved with plenty of conditions to meet.
 

The stadium includes:

• A 1,500-person function room with views to kunanyi/ Mount Wellington.
• A design informed by modelling cricket ball trajectory data to ensure it is ready to host the best quality cricket games.
• A stage pocket in the northern stand to support concerts and events, which will minimise impact on the field and reduce costs for event operators.
• Easy to follow and accessible design features – including a single continuous concourse that services the whole stadium, which means fans can enter any gate and easily find their seat.
• A seating bowl design that will bring crowds closer to the action.
• Separated back of house and catering facilities with a below ground service road to separate vehicles and stadium visitors and users.
• A carefully designed cutting-edge design including a timber and steel framed fixed ETFE transparent roof, which will see Tasmania leading the world in structured timber roofing solutions.

 
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