The proposed Macquarie Point stadium

Tasmanian citizens and residents

draw to the attention of the Council:

The improper attempt by Government to bypass the independent planning process and have Parliament pass enabling legislation to approve the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.

Independent expert assessments by respected economist Dr Nicholas Gruen, and the Tasmanian Planning Commission highlight significant risks associated with the stadium including:

·        Major cost blowouts, substantially increased state debt, and potential credit downgrade

·        Inadequate space for the stadium

·        Safety risks to pedestrians

·        Unsafe emergency evacuations

·        Harmful contamination risks from site excavations

·        Threats to heritage, including the Cenotaph.

The Premier had no mandate to agree to unacceptable terms dictated by the Australian Football League (AFL) CEO to build a stadium Tasmanians cannot afford on a site that is unsuitable.

The original Macquarie Point development plan was widely consulted, had public support and included genuine urban renewal, including medium density housing, transport connections, public space, and protection and promotion of Aboriginal and European cultural heritage.

Any project of the stadium's scale, complexity, and cost to the State of Tasmania must be properly and independently assessed.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the Council to:

a)      Support completion of the Project of State Significance (POSS) process, to allow MLCs to assess conclusions drawn by eminent appointed experts after they examine all evidence presented.

b)     Reject the improper attempt to discredit independent evidence and bypass due process through special enabling legislation.

c)      Call on the Rockliff Government to renegotiate the terms with the AFL to ensure Tasmania and the 200,000 plus signed-up Devils' members retain the AFL/W teams we have earned.