A standalone AFL and AFLW Tasmanian team could be playing in a new, multipurpose, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart in 2029 if the Tasmanian government can convince the Federal government to inject $240 million into the project.
The request is part of the business case for the stadium, which premier Jeremy Rockliff released after handing over to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a meeting on Thursday.
The AFL has made it clear they will only grant a new licence for a 19th team to play out of Tasmania if a new stadium is built with the business case arguing the stadium, which would seat 23,000 spectators, could be built by the end of 2028.
Under the proposal the Tasmanian government has committed $375million and the AFL $15 million towards its construction. They are seeking $240 million federal funding and $85 million private investment. They have already spent $26 million on existing works at the site bringing the stadium’s total cost to $741 million.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is hoping to grant a 19th licence to Tasmania before departing.Credit:Getty Images
Their specific funding request to the Federal government is for $50 million in 2026-27, $175 million in 2027-28 and $15 million in 2028-29. The Tasmanian government has already committed $12 million per annum for 12 years and $60 million towards a high performance sporting centre as part of their bid for an AFL team.
The business case argues that once the stadium is completed and with an AFL team playing in Hobart, 44 events will be held at the stadium annually. PWC says the economic benefit will inject $300 million into the stadium during the construction phase with $85 million and 950 additional jobs added annually on top of the $120 million forecast to be added through the new AFL and AFL teams.
The state ALP and Greens as well as prominent Federal independent Andrew Wilkie have expressed their opposition to a new stadium being built while Federal sports minister Anika Wells said she didn’t think the bid for an AFL team should be contingent on a new stadium. However, the decision on Federal Funding will rest with the Department of Infrastructure. There is also concerns about the impact a stadium will have on the proposed Aboriginal Reconciliation Park at Macquarie Point.
AFL presidents have made it clear a new stadium is necessary for them to support the bid with Collingwood president Jeff Browne still concerned the decision may be premature.
