The fate of an entire state rests in the hands of eight people — so goes the next chapter of the incredibly long story that is Tasmania’s AFL stadium. That the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recommended against building the $1 billion stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart was never really the point. Prior to the snap election in July, Premier Jeremy Rockliff had already set in motion the real pathway to “getting it built” regardless of the advice: special enabling legislation, set to be introduced in November.
He wants needs the legislation to pass both houses of government by Christmas if there is to be any chance of meeting the AFL’s imposed deadlines — team to begin playing in the 2028 season, with first bounce at the new stadium in 2029.