Future of Mac Point

PMAT’s position on the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium

PMAT does not have a position on whether a stadium should be built at Macquarie Point. We have engaged in this issue due to the ad hoc and chaotic nature of the Tasmanian Government’s approach to planning the development of the Macquarie Point site.

Since the establishment of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation back in 2012, due to State Government interference in various planning processes, the site remains undeveloped, even though some developments had started work.

As outlined in Appendix 1 of PMAT’s submission regarding the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Draft Integrated Assessment Report, please see detailed summary of the Macquarie Point Re-Development Planning Timeline (pages 11 to 16). The below provides an overview which demonstrates the ad hoc and blatant disregard by the Tasmanian Government of sound strategic planning. 

Overview – Macquarie Point Re-Development planning timeline

Macquarie Point Development Corporation

As outlined in Appendix 1 – Macquarie Point Re-Development Planning Timeline (pages 11 to 16), the urban renewal of Macquarie Point began with the creation of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation in 2012 which was established under the Macquarie Point Development Corporation Act 2012. 

In the 13 years since the Corporation was established it has achieved two key outcomes remediation of the site and an agreed Masterplan. The Masterplan is also reflected in the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme 1997. 

Macquarie Point Reset Masterplan 2017-2030

The broadly supported Macquarie Point Reset Masterplan 2017-2030, developed by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, and agreed by key stakeholders including the Tasmanian Government, the Hobart City Council, the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the Tasmanian community, was disregarded by the State Government in 2022. The Masterplan for Macquarie Point was developed, agreed and legislated, following a strategic planning process. Without any public consultation the State Government announced it would construct a stadium on Macquarie Point instead of implementing the Macquarie Point Reset Masterplan 2017-2030. This was very disappointing as good strategic planning has at its core, meaningful public consultation. Strategic planning also requires consideration of all options and alternatives, filtered through the needs of all stakeholders, and community, and the costs and benefits which might be delivered. Strategic planning is also enshrined in the Mac Point Development Corporation Act 2012 which has as its principal objective under 6. Principal objectives of Corporation (iv) is redeveloped in accordance withsound planning, urban design and environmental principles. The principal objectives of the Corporation also include (i) is redeveloped as a vibrant and active area, with a mix of uses, that connects with and complements adjacent areas within Hobart (iic) provides for public open space, (iii) is redeveloped so as to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to Hobart.

It is worth noting that Macquarie Point Reset Masterplan 2017-2030 was designed to underpin the planning scheme framework of the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme 1997 whereas a stadium is a prohibited use under the local planning scheme.

The stadium declared a Project of State Significance (POSS)

Then in 2023, the Tasmanian Government declared the stadium proposal on Macquarie Point to be a Project of State Significance (POSS) to be assessed under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993. This process is managed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. 

Once declared as a Project of State Significance (POSS), it is assessed by a panel established by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. Referrals are also made to relevant local councils and State Government agencies and authorities who will provide expert advice to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for the assessment.

As per the State Planning Office here The assessment undertaken by the Commission is a very robust and fully integrated assessment, meaning that detailed consideration is made on all environmental, social, economic and community issues relevant to that project. The requirements of the planning scheme or any other Act do not apply to a POSS, enabling a fully integrated assessment of all relevant issues to be undertaken.

The Tasmanian Planning Commission makes guidelines for the assessment, which the proponent must address in the reports they provide.  The Tasmanian Planning Commission may invite public comment on draft guidelines which is what happened with the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Project. The guidelines were finalised, after public consultation, in February 2024. The proponent then submitted reports in September 2024 outlined by the guidelines. The Tasmanian Planning Commission then requested additional reports in November 2024 before preparing their draft integrated assessment report. The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Draft Integrated Assessment Report was then released for public comment between the 31 March to 8 May 2025. It is noted that the Macquarie Point Development Corporation failed to provide all the information as requested by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

Tasmanian Government announces it will seek advice to remove the stadium as Project of State Significance (POSS) and have it approved by special fast-track enabling legislation in the Tasmanian Parliament

But on the April 13 2025, and during the public consultation period on the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Draft Integrated Assessment Report, and before the Tasmanian Planning Commission had finished its assessment, the Tasmanian Government announced it was seeking advice to remove the Stadium from the Project of State Significance (POSS) process and have it approved by introducing special fast-track enabling legislation in the Tasmanian Parliament. 

The enabling legislation will apparently be open for public comment in May 2025. But we fear that the Tasmanian Government will table the draft legislation and put it out for public comment at the same time creating even more confusion in the community. 

Premier issued an ultimatum to the Legislative Council

Then on the 7 May 2025, as reported by Pulse Tasmania, the Premier issued an ultimatum to the upper house members that unless enabling legislation for the Macquarie Point stadium passes, the State’s AFL team bid will collapse. Every MP will get a vote on whether the stadium will go ahead. Yes or No. If the vote is no, it is all over the Premier said. There will be no ongoing Project of State Significance (POSS). There will be no stadium. There will be no team.

Making ultimatums is not only insulting, especially to the Tasmanian Parliament, it is also a flawed way to conduct robust strategic and transparent planning.