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read moreThe AFL has advised that Tasmania getting a side in the League remains contingent on the delivery of a new stadium on the Hobart waterfront - despite a draft report from a Tasmanian Planning Commission panel indicating that the cost of the venue will rise a 39% from its original estimate.
Released on Monday, the draft report criticised the venue on planning and social grounds, while also suggesting that the cost of stadium would rise from its originally budgeted $715 million cost (later amended to $775 million) to $992.5 million.
With the draft report also questioning the tight timeline for the delivery of the 23,000-seat venue, it also found the stadium's benefits had been overstated.
With construction of the roofed venue a condition of the AFL granting the Tasmania Devils a licence for entry to the League in 2028, AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon yesterday advised that the deal endorsed by the AFL Commission was locked in.
As reported by AAP, Dillon told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday "it's really clear the conditional licence is a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.”
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who signed the contract, conceded the project timeline was challenging but said issues in the report would be worked through, telling state parliament “one indisputable fact is, if this stadium is not built there will be no team.
"We’re committed to the timeline and the deal and we have agreed to work through a number of challenges. We will meet with the AFL around those challenges."
Hearings will be held mid-year to address the report before a final September report and subsequent Tasmanian parliament vote to approve or reject the project.
AAP indicate that any legislation faces a “potentially tricky passage through parliament, with the minority Liberal government holding 14 of 35 lower house seats and four of 15 in the upper house.”
The Greens said the report was further evidence the stadium should be ditched, while the state Labor opposition said the project was "hanging by a thread".
The Tasmanian Government's deal with the AFL requires the stadium to be half built by October 2027 and ready to host games in 2029.
The Tasmanian Government has repeatedly pledged to cap its spend on the venue at $375 million, with $240 million coming from the Commonwealth and $15 million from the AFL - anticipating that the balance will come from private investment.
With costs ballooning, Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton believes that the AFL is likely to come under pressure to provide additional funds for the venue.
Images: A render of the proposed new Hobart Stadium (top, credit: Macquarie Point Development Corporation) and the Tasmania Devils' inaugural jumper (below, credit: AFL Photos).
31st March 2025 - Tasmanian Planning Commission assessment says cost of Hobart Stadium will rise to almost $1 billion
18th March 2025 - AFL Round One crowd breaks record attendance
22nd February 2025 - Tasmania Devils make key executive appointment
11th February 2025 - Hawthorn extend partnership to stage matches at UTAS Stadium until end of 2027
24th February 2025 - Ownership and management of Silverdome being transferred to Stadiums Tasmania
10th February 2025 - Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground to receive major upgrades
8th January 2025 - Report reveals planned new Hobart Stadium will incur $171 million maintenance costs over 30 years
6th January 2025 - Independent review of Hobart’s new AFL stadium reveals likely cost blowout
20th November 2024 - Tasmanian Government names location for new AFL High Performance Centre
23rd October 2024 - Tasmania’s Bellerive Oval to be known as Ninja Stadium after naming rights deal
25th September 2024 - Tasmanian Parliament hears that cost of three-storey car park excluded from budget for new Hobart Stadium
18th September 2024 - Cost of new Hobart Stadium to rise by $60 million as economic cost questioned
7th July 2024 - Concept designs released for Hobart’s new AFL Stadium
9th May 2024 - Cox Architecture chosen to lead design of Hobart’s AFL stadium
8th May 2024 - Private capital firm confirms interest in funding Hobart’s planned AFL stadium
7th May 2024 - Tasmanian opposition changes stance to support Hobart stadium plan
19th March 2024 - AFL launches colours, logo and guernsey for new Tasmania Devils teams
22nd February 2024 - AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon firm on Hobart Stadium requirement for new Tasmanian team
15th February 2024 - Tasmanian Premier makes election pledge to limit state government’s contribution to new Hobart Stadium at $375 million
11th December 2023 - Tasmanian Government launches community consultation for Hobart Stadium project
9th November 2023 - Plans for new Hobart stadium reach major milestone
18th October 2023 - Private consortium reveals alternative concept for Hobart’s AFL Stadium
22nd May 2023 - Tasmanian Government releases detail of deal with AFL for Hobart Stadium
20th May 2023 - AFL Chief Executive warns Tasmanian objectors ‘no expansion team without new Hobart Stadium’
13th May 2023 - Thousands rally in Hobart in ‘Stop the Stadium’ protest
23rd February 2023 - AFL makes $360 million commitment for Tasmanian team funding contingent on new Hobart stadium
20th January 2023 - Cost-benefit analysis says proposed Hobart Stadium would deliver $306 million deficit over 20 years
4th June 2022 - Documents suggest cost of Hobart stadium will be higher than $750 million
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