Overview
- The final report cites excessive scale, heritage impacts and weak cost–benefit, finding the venue would diminish economic welfare and push state debt from about $1 billion to $1.8 billion over 10 years.
- Premier Jeremy Rockliff rejects the assessment and will seek approval in parliament this year, as the project’s price tag is revised to about $1.13 billion.
- The Macquarie Point Development Corporation says the key objections are matters of opinion and choice, arguing the stadium can be built and operated safely under proposed conditions.
- Passage remains uncertain: Liberals and Labor have the lower house numbers, several upper house independents are opposed or undecided, and Labor has softened its stance pending a review of the report.
- The AFL reiterates its “no stadium, no team” condition as the Devils continue to build the club with VFL and VFLW entry in 2026, and Nathan Buckley says he would accept the inaugural coaching role if offered.