Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium

While the City of Hobart is not the planning authority for the stadium itself, the City continues to play several important roles including regulatory and statutory roles:

• Local planning authority for land surrounding Macquarie Point, including future planning scheme amendments affecting the wider precinct.
• A statutory consultee where required under State processes.
• Council retains its normal regulatory functions under legislation, where those functions have not been displaced by the State Order.
• Adjacent landowner, with interests in access, infrastructure integration, heritage protection and public realm outcomes.
• Community advocate, representing the interests of Hobart residents, businesses and visitors.
• Referral and advisory role to the State on matters such as transport, urban design, landscape, heritage, environmental impacts and ongoing. management.

The City continues to engage with the State Government, MPDC and other agencies to ensure impacts on the city are carefully managed and that outcomes align as closely as possible with Hobart's long term strategic, environmental and community objectives.

The City of Hobart has consistently raised concerns about the proposed stadium, including its:

• fit within the Sullivans Cove and Hobart waterfront context
• impacts on heritage places and landscapes
• transport, access and infrastructure implications
• financial risk and opportunity cost for the State and city
• broader urban planning outcomes for Macquarie Point.

Despite these concerns, the project has now been approved at a State level. The City's focus has therefore shifted to minimising adverse impacts, advocating for high quality design outcomes, and protecting the interests of Hobart and its community as the project progresses.

The Tasmanian Government and MPDC are progressing project delivery, including detailed design, procurement and site preparation works. Construction is expected to commence following completion of these processes.

In parallel, future stages of the Macquarie Point precinct including public realm, housing, commercial development and transport infrastructure will be subject to further planning processes, consultation and decision making. The City of Hobart will continue to act as the planning authority for these elements where applicable.

In December 2022, the Tasmanian Government announced $375 million in funding for a proposed stadium, this was followed by an announcement from the Australian Football League (AFL) that they would fund $15 million toward the proposed stadium project. The development of the stadium was declared a Project of State Significance (PoSS) by order of the Governor and approved by both Houses of the Tasmanian Parliament on 8 November 2023 and took effect on 9 November 2023. This declaration meant the City of Hobart is not the planning authority for the stadium however remains the planning authority within and around the Macquarie Point Precinct.

In its capacity as the local planning authority for the wider area and as adjacent landowner, the City has proactively engaged in the PoSS process every step of the way, ensuring it plays a pivotal role in the planning assessment of this proposed state significant project.

The PoSS proposed a multipurpose stadium at Macquarie Point (the stadium). The stadium is subject to an integrated assessment process under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 (the Act) and the requirements of the Ministerial Direction issued under the Act. The Tasmanian Planning Commission (the Commission) undertook the assessment of the stadium with more information available on the project assessment webpage.

The Commission was required to consult with Hobart City Council and other identified agencies with an interest in the project in relation to the preparation of the draft Integrated Assessment Report (IAR). The City was proactively engaging with the Commission, providing qualified advice when requested. All submissions in relation to the assessment of the project can be found further down this page.

The Commission released the draft IAR on 31 March 2025, which was open for public consultation up until 8 May 2025. In response to the draft IAR, the City prepared a draft submission(PDF, 617KB) for Council's consideration at the April 2025 Council Meeting.

The City in its preparation of this pivotal submission, engaged subject matter experts, whose reports, which are referenced in the draft submission can be accessed below.

On 15 April 2026, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation released an updated Macquarie Point Precinct Plan and Master Plan, setting out the strategic and statutory framework for the long term renewal of the Macquarie Point site. The updated plan outlines the proposed structure of the precinct, including the stadium site alongside future mixed use development, public spaces, transport connections and areas of cultural significance. The Master Plan is intended to inform future planning scheme amendments for the broader precinct.

On 13 April 2025, the State Government announced that they plan to introduce 'enabling legislation' to Parliament to progress approvals for the Project and abandon the Project of State Significance (PoSS) process. On 27 May 2025, the State Government released its draft enabling legislation the Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025 (the Bill) for feedback with submissions welcomed until 16 June 2025. In good faith, and in its capacity as the local government planning authority for the wider area and as an adjacent landowner, the City has prepared a representation in response to the enabling legislation.

On 11 June 2025 Council approved a submission in response to the enabling legislation. On the same day, the Parliament was dissolved and an election called putting the Government into caretake mode.

While the Council has provided feedback on the enabling legislation, it maintains that the best course of action for the Parliament is to allow the completion of the POSS process being run by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. This work is continuing despite the Bill being proposed.

Despite the City's preference for the POSS process, it recognises that a new Government may proceed with this Planning Permit Bill.

The Council's submission outlines the ways to amend the Bill including:

• lack of appeal rights.
• the planning permit can be changed by the Minister without going back to Parliament.
• strengthening enforcement provisions to ensure permit conditions can be properly managed.
• ensuring "consultation" means a genuine, good-faith effort by all parties to reach consensus.
• ensuring fair compensation for the City's costs and land acquisition impacts.
• including the Collins Street footbridge in the project scope.
• including key infrastructure planning permits for the northern access road and pedestrian/cycle paths in the bill to ensure proper and fair scrutiny.

On 10 June 2025 the Tasmanian Planning Commission (the Commission) held a Directions Hearing for the POSS process to determine the procedure for the upcoming Hearing.

The Commission heard from the State (as proponent) and several representors, including the City, about the role they intend to take at the Hearing. The Commission refused an application by the State to adjourn the directions hearing for 7 days and directed all parties to file any further submissions and evidence, including any submissions on the draft permit conditions annexed to the Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025, by 17 June 2025.

The Hearing is scheduled to commence on 25 June 2025 and continue until 3 July 2025 with 7-9 July 2025 set aside as reserve days if required.

Further updates regarding the assessment process of the stadium will be provided in due course.

Date: 13 June 2025
Recipient: Ms Katherine Morgan-Wicks, Secretary and Head of State Service, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmanian Government

City of Hobart submission - Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025 - Enabling Legislation(PDF, 1MB)

Date: 7 May 2025
Recipient: Tasmanian Planning Commission

Macquarie Point Stadium Draft Integrated Assessment Report submission(PDF, 617KB)

Macquarie Point Stadium Draft Integrated Assessment Report submission appendices(PDF, 13MB)

You can also download the appendices individually:

• Appendix 1 - Economic Analysis Advice(PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix 2 - Economic Impact Assessment(PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix 3 - Landscape and Urban Form(PDF, 7MB)
• Appendix 4 - UDAP Submission(PDF, 1MB)
• Appendix 5 - Cultural Heritage Issues(PDF, 548KB)
• Appendix 6 - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advice(PDF, 235KB)
• Appendix 7 - Movement Technical Review(PDF, 971KB)
• Appendix 8 - Noise and Vibration(PDF, 673KB)

City Heritage Committee POSS Report(PDF, 71KB)

Date: 5 January 2024
Recipient: Tasmanian Planning Commission

City of Hobart Submission - Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Draft Guidelines(PDF, 266KB)

Date: 9 November 2023
Recipient: Macquarie Point Development Corporation

City of Hobart Submission - Mac Point Draft Precinct Plan(PDF, 556KB)

Date: 23 March 2023
Recipient: Parliamentary Standing Committee of Public Accounts, Tasmanian Government

City of Hobart Submission - Tasmanian Government's Proposed Hobart Stadium Feasibility Planning Process(PDF, 4MB)