Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium

The project of State significance proposes 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) is undertaking the assessment of the stadium with more information available on the project assessment webpage.

The Commission is required to consult with Hobart City Council and identified agencies with an interest in the project in relation to the preparation of the draft Integrated Assessment Report (IAR). The City has been 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 assessment of the stadium is now in the second stage of the process, with the Commission releasing the draft IAR on 31 March 2025, which is open for public consultation up until Thursday 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.

Project Update

Enabling legislation

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.

Project of State Significance (POSS) Process

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.

Macquarie Point Planning Permit Bill 2025 - Enabling Legislation submission

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)