Tasmanians express mix of views ahead of final Macquarie Point stadium vote
The price tag for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart has risen to $1.13 billion. (Supplied: MPDC)
In short:
A 23,000-seat, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a condition of Tasmania's entry to the national AFL competition, but the project has deeply divided the community.
The ABC has spoken to community members across the state, with many people still uncertain about whether they approve the stadium or not.
What's next?
Tasmania's upper house will cast the deciding vote on whether to approve the stadium this week, with debate starting on Wednesday.
By the end of this week, Tasmania will know whether or not it will get a new AFL stadium in Hobart.
After years of public debate and ongoing uncertainty, that is something Milton Cunningham, of Tranmere, is looking forward to.
Milton Cunningham says he's looking forward to a decision being made on the stadium one way or the other. (ABC News: Jordan Young)
"Whatever your opinion is, we need to get an outcome and get things underway — whichever way they go," he says.
The 23,000-seat roofed stadium is a key condition to Tasmania being granted a team in the national league, but the project's significant cost and location have caused division in the community.
Some of the crowd at the rally in support of the stadium in Hobart, November 30, 2025. (ABC News: Jessica Moran)
An "order" to build the contentious stadium has already been given the tick of approval in state parliament's lower house.
On Wednesday, debate will begin in the upper house — before Legislative Councillors cast their deciding votes.
On Hobart's eastern shore, Mr Cunningham says he feels "indifferent" about the stadium proposal.
"I like the idea of a team, I like the idea of a stadium — but not at Macquarie Point," he says.
He said there seems to be "too many issues", including traffic management for "punters to get in and out of the thing" and the stadium's $1.13 billion price tag.
Ultimately, though, he said the democratic process has to play out.
Some of the crowd at the rally opposing the stadium, held in Hobart November 23, 2025. (ABC News: Josh Duggan)
Not all watching debate closely
Jacinta Humphreys says she hasn't been engaging with discussions about the stadium, and has no skin in the game. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
In the state's north west, the stadium hasn't really been on the radar of Wynyard resident Jacinta Humphreys.
She said she hasn't really engaged in the debate, and that others around her feel similarly.
"Pretty much all I see is stickers with people really wanting it to happen, or not wanting it to happen."
Tyler Inac (right) and Metehan with their child Ada. Tyler says she can appreciate both sides in the stadium debate. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
It is a similar story for Burnie's Tyler Inac, although she is leaning more towards opposing the stadium than supporting it.
"I can understand both views," she said.
"My dad played football for Rosebery and Yolla and other sides; football is something that brings people together.
"But there's so much more that I think could be fixed and helped [with that money]."
Simon Lunnon thinks the stadium is an opportunity too important to miss. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
Devonport resident Simon Lunnon feels differently.
He is hopeful the stadium will get up.
"I think it'll be a great thing for Tassie to have, a great thing for our future," he said.
"If you look at the long-term future of Tassie, it's a really important thing and probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
But, he said some of the timelines do look tight.
The Tasmania Devils AFL team is due to join the league in 2028, followed by the AFLW in 2029.
The stadium is meant to be finished in time for the 2029 AFL men's season.
"Hopefully it's not like the Spirits (ferries) and we have boats and nowhere to park them, or a team and nowhere for them to play," he said.
In Launceston, Edwina Tonna thinks a new stadium would be "fabulous".
Edwina Tonna supports a stadium, but says it's not the right time. (ABC News: Emily Smith)
But, she said, given Tasmania's current financial situation, she would rather it be put off for a while.
Last month, the state government handed down an interim state budget which forecast debt reaching $10.4 billion in 2028-29.
"I'm just concerned about it going ahead with the debt Tassie is in at the moment,"Ms Tonna said.
Daniel Bekaert, with his son Arni, says he's not sure how he feels about the proposed stadium. (ABC News: Emily Smith)
Launceston's Daniel Bekaert described himself as a "solid fence-sitter", where the stadium was concerned.
"A team, a sports team, brings a lot to a state and a lot to the people. Especially [AFL] in this state," he said.
But, he also understands the opposition and the argument that money could be spent elsewhere, such as on housing.
He said if the project were knocked back, he would likely feel a bit of disappointment for the state, given how much passion there was for a team.
"But I'd also understand reasons why that was denied, and hope that those reasons were then addressed very solidly."