POSS APPLICATION

The application for the development of the new Multipurpose Stadium at Macquarie Point has been submitted, marking the beginning of its assessment as a Project of State Significance.

The Tasmanian Planning Commission is assessing the proposal against its Integrated Assessment Guidelines, which consider factors such as land-use planning, environmental impacts, cultural and heritage considerations, transport and movement, and economic and social outcomes.

The submission includes a detailed 260-page Summary Report along with around 4,000 pages of supporting documentation.

The Multipurpose Stadium features a roofed design and function centre, designed with fan experience in mind.

Some key features

The Multipurpose Stadium will include:

23,000 seated capacity, with 1,500 additional spaces offering structured standing options
31,500 patron capacity for major concert events
1,500 person function room with views to both the field of play and toward kunanyi/Mt Wellington
159.5m x 128.5m oval field-of-play
transparent fixed dome-shaped roof supported by steel and locally sourced and grown timber
an elevated 360-degree internal concourse, as well as an external concourse
an intimate seating bowl that will bring crowds closer to the action
a concourse design that enables fans to see the field-of-play while waiting for food, drinks and to use amenities
a serviced grandstand on the western side with three levels of functional space above the field.

The submission is available on the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s website here.

Response to the TPC

We recently responded to the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s (TPC) request for further information as part of the assessment process for the Multipurpose Stadium, a Project of State Significance (PoSS). Our response can be found here.

After we submitted our PoSS application in September, the TPC wrote to us late last year asking for more detail on some aspects of the project. Seeking clarifications and further information is a normal part of assessing large and complex developments.

In response, we have provided a comprehensive set of supplementary reports, including providing clarifications and information on the design, planning analysis, further information on the financial analysis, further information on transport and movement, environmental information, and engagement. To further support the process, we have also updated and created additional renders, including showing where the stadium building name will be located on the structure.

We will continue working with the TPC as the process moves forward, including providing further updates and information as required. The TPC will release a draft Integrated Assessment Report for public exhibition after the first phase of its review is complete. It is anticipated it will also note when hearings are likely to be held.

The costings that informed the economic analysis work attached to our Project of State Significance application is available here.

The cost plan summary reflects a point in time snapshot, as at the concept design stage. Cost planning is a dynamic process that will change throughout the design process as contingencies are allocated and detailed design is refined.

Project of State Significance application process

Stages

WE ARE HERE
(March 2025)
The Commission is preparing a draft Integrated Assessment Report

Submission & review

Public engagement

Finalisation & recommendation

Approval

Submission

(complete 17 Sept 24)

Relevant agency review

(complete 25 Oct 24)

Request further information

(issued 19 Nov 24, and responses provided Dec - Mar 25)

Release draft Integrated Assessment Report

(anticipated release end of March 25)

Hearings held

(end of June to July 25)

Integrated Assessment Report finalised and released

(required by
16 Sept 25)

Report submitted to the Minister & Gazetted

(required by
16 Sept 25)

Parliamentary process

(Oct 25)

How tall will the multipurpose stadium be?

A key design feature of the stadium has been to keep the edges of the structure to a low profile, informed by the surrounding built-form and natural landscapes. This is important for the street-level experience and how the stadium integrates with the spaces around it. The edges of the stadium are around 22 metres (25.5 metres RL / AHD*) compared to the Evans Street level which is around 3.5 metres RL. The structure has a fixed-dome roof, which at the highest point is 51 metres (54 metres RL), with an internal field height of 3 metres RL, which is similar to the current level of Evans Street. For comparison, heights of nearby structures: Zero Davey 20 metres (22.5 metres RL) IXL Jam Factory 19 metres (22 metres RL) Hotel Grand Chancellor 47 metres (49 metres RL) Royal Hobart Hospital 68 metres (75 metres RL) * RL means Relative Level and is a consistent measurement base comparing to sea level. AHD means Australian Height Datum, which is the height of a point above mean sea level.
How have you assessed the visual impact of the stadium?

SLR Consulting who are recognised as specialists in this field were commissioned to do a Visual Impact Assessment Report. The report assesses how the stadium will impact the characteristics of the site and broader area, the use and enjoyment of the space and views in and out of the site. It contains several images showing what the stadium is expected to look like from various viewpoints across Hobart and an assessment of the visual impact for each of those viewpoints. You can see what the stadium will look like from some of the viewpoints in some questions below, the remainder can be viewed in the report and additional information provided to the Tasmanian Planning Commission as part of the Project of State Significance Project.
Will the stadium cast a shadow over the Hobart Cenotaph?

No. The stadium is located to the south-east of the Cenotaph, which means it cannot cast a shadow over the Cenotaph or impact sunrise or sunset. The low-profile of the design will also minimise the shadow casting inside and outside of the stadium. More information is available here
How will the stadium look standing at Constitution Dock?

We are preparing a number of renders that will show how the stadium will look from various angles around the city, however, this early comparative image has been prioritised in response to requests.
How will the stadium look from the Cenotaph?
What will the roof be made from?

The roof will be supported by an elegant steel and timber frame, with steel bracing at 20 metre intervals and structural timber cross beams at 5 metre intervals. This grid will be covered with ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), which is transparent and will support natural turf growth underneath. There will be two layers of ETFE creating a series of pillow-like elements across the roof.
How big is the roof?

The transparent ETFE roof will span approximately 190 metres by 215 metres and will be the largest timber supported roof covering stadia in the world.
Can the stadium support cricket?

Yes, we’re excited about the opportunities the multipurpose stadium will present for international cricket. Our modelling has used Hawk Eye data to accommodate cricket ball trajectory and includes important requirements unique to cricket including practice wickets and media facilities. We’ll continue to work with Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia to seek accreditation of our stadium once built.
Can it support other types of events?

Our stadium includes a 1,500 person seated function room with spaces to support meetings and collaboration areas. It is a fully enclosed venue supporting a range of events, exhibitions and conferences, with vehicle and pedestrian access to a concourse that wraps around the full facility and the field.
What about non-event days?

The stadium will be part of an activated mixed-use precinct. Find out more about our whole of site Precinct Plan here
What will happen to the Goods Shed?

The Goods Shed will remain part of Mac Point. We are planning to relocate the Goods Shed to the north of the site to where a shed of similar scale was situated when the site formed part of the Hobart Rail Yard. We will continue to honour the history of the building and align it with the original rail lines, and support ongoing community activation, as is the case now. More information is available here
Can the ground at Macquarie Point support a stadium?

Yes. Despite a lot of the Mac Point site being created from reclaimed land over its years of European settlement and industrial use, the site is characterised by four distinct geological units: fill, estuarine, alluvial and dolerite bedrock. More information is available here.
Where in Hobart will you be able to see the stadium from?

The below image shows public areas where the stadium is likely to be visible from (highlighted in yellow) for most people who are standing at ground level. To note at points above 1.8m it may be visible from additional locations.