An episode of an ABC comedy series that aired almost a decade ago has resurfaced after it coincidentally correctly predicted the future.
Characters on Utopia played by popular Aussie comedians including Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor, Kitty Flanagan and Rob Sitch were debating the prospect of a Tasmanian stadium in an episode that aired in 2014.
Less than 10 years later, the Prime Minister last week announced the government would commit $240 million of funding for the development of a stadium in Hobart.
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The new stadium would also allow for the conception of Tasmania’s own AFL team, giving the league a 19th squad.
The proposed 23,000-seat Macquarie Point stadium has a total projected cost of $715 million, with an announcement due this weekend set to confirm the stadium will be roof-covered.
It has been projected to be completed by 2028-9 and is expected to be “multi-purpose”.
The concept however is far from an original one, with the sixth episode of Utopia’s first season revealing a fiery back and forth regarding whether the state truly needed a stadium.
The dispute involved Pacquola and Flanagan’s characters trying to convince Sitch and McGregor the stadium was a necessary part of Tasmania’s future.
“What would you say to someone who was thinking of building a stadium?” Sitch’s character proposed.
“Don’t,” McGregor replied.
The pair continue to argue about the contentious issue on behalf of the fake government organisation, “Nation Building Authority”.
“Right, but what if they really, really wanted to build a stadium?” Sitch said.
“Do it, but not in Tasmania.”
“What if it’s a multipurpose stadium?”
“What are the other purposes?”
“Yeah, you’re right, we are going to have to look into it.”
Flanagan’s character, Rhonda, was a big supporter of the idea, but it was clear she had little grounds for her strong stance.
“Rhonda, it doesn’t make sense. There are a few problems … lack of population, too few events, distance, fixed costs, where to put it,” Sitch said.
“But those negatives are far outweighed by the positives … although I don’t have any right now,” Flannagan’s character responded.
In another part of the show, she shut down other options because apparently 1000 people she consulted had asked for a stadium.
She didn’t shy away from Tasmania not really needing a stadium, but firmly advocating for the people deserving one.
Fans have gone wild online over Utopia somehow foreshadowing Hobart’s future stadium.
“The first thing the people reviewing infrastructure projects should do is watch every episode of Utopia,” one person tweeted, with another writing: “when life imitates art”.
“Truly a show ahead of its time,” another wrote.
