Overview

• The Tasmanian Planning Commission recommended the Macquarie Point stadium not proceed, citing excessive scale, heritage impacts and financial risks including a $1 billion loan and costs rising toward $1.8 billion over a decade.
• The state government is moving the project to a parliamentary vote expected in November, with passage dependent on Labor in the Lower House and several key independents in the Upper House.
• The Tasmania Football Club called the stadium a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity and said time is of the essence to be ready for first bounce.
• The AFL has maintained a roofed Hobart venue is a non‑negotiable condition for the Devils’ AFL and AFLW entry targeted for 2028.
• Developers warn delays could jeopardise the construction timeline and inflate costs, while the club advances operations with VFL and VFLW teams in 2026 and talks with Nathan Buckley for the inaugural coaching role.