Jeremy Rockliff, the Premier of Tasmania, has even publicly acknowledged that he is looking for this advice. He wants to look at other ways to progress the Macquarie Point stadium project. Independent body the Tasmanian Planning Commission is currently reviewing the controversial proposal. Rockliff’s decision to start looking at alternatives to the current assessment process does signal some critical questions that could affect the fate of this project.
The Macquarie Point stadium has created lots of discussion and tension among local stakeholders and Tasmanians. A draft report released by the Tasmanian Planning Commission on Monday criticized the government’s assertions regarding the project, highlighting various issues that have contributed to ongoing concerns. Asking the tough questions This report has raised the most serious and focused scrutiny ever around the stadium’s feasibility.
Current Assessment and Challenges
At the moment, the Tasmanian Planning Commission is using the Project of State Significance (POSS) process to assess this stadium proposal. As a foundation, this framework aims to facilitate robust assessment of all major proposals in Tasmania. The commission’s draft report laid out undeniable flaws with the stadium. This surprising discovery prompted Rockliff to reconsider the usual approach.
In all his comments, Rockliff laid stress on his commitment to the project in the face of the prevailing difficulties. He stated, “It’s a building on a wasteland with sewerage works next to it.” His comments indicate a notable commitment to addressing the existing criticisms head on. Beyond this, he seems determined to push on with his vision for an AFL and AFLW team in Tasmania.
The timeline for the project remains murky. We’re expecting the Planning Commission to issue the final report this September. Once the findings are released, Members of Parliament (MPs) will have an opportunity to vote. They need to approve or reject the project based on this scant, published information.
Political Implications
As with any major stadium project, it’s fate depends on political support, especially from the state’s opposition Labor party. For his ambitious proposal to get approved through the state’s lower house, Rockliff will need support from the ALP. The party’s leader, Dean Winter, has expressed concerns over Rockliff’s strategy. He remarked, “Ripping the stadium out of his POSS process is a huge risk to our AFL teams,” indicating that bypassing established protocols could endanger Tasmania’s chances of securing a team.
And in spite of all of this Rockliff isn’t discouraged by such naysayers and indeed has doubled down on his crusade for the stadium. He illustrated this with his commitment to ensuring that Tasmania one day has its own AFL and AFLW teams. “What I’m about is ensuring that we get this job done and we get a Tasmanian team in the AFL and AFLW and that’s why I’ve been so committed to this project,” he maintained.
Next Steps
As the debate over the Macquarie Point stadium rumbles on, all eyes remain on the Tasmanian Planning Commission as the next major player in this unfolding drama. The draft report’s findings would no doubt be influential in steering future arguments and determinations against the costly boondoggle of a project.
