Tasmanian government....

[Marty_d]

Well they passed the stadium.

Only this bunch of losers (and I lump together both major parties and the spineless independents who voted yes) could take leave of their senses, bend the entire state over a barrel, and pimp our collective arse to the AFL.

Only they could ignore the planning experts and every economist, all of whom comprehensively rejected this monstrosity, and approve something which will cost well over $1b, bring in revenue of less than half of that, dominate the historic Hobart waterfront, and has no parking or public transport. Oh, and when in use will block up traffic on the busiest street in the city.

At a time when Tasmania is already holding historic levels of debt, just been downgraded by S&P, and is crying out for staff and services in health, education and justice.

This guy puts it better than I ever could.

Victoria, stop complaining about your state government, I think we've got it worse right now.

https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/12/04/tasmania-macquarie-point-stadium-cost/

[old man emu]

There was a comedy series on ABC called "Utopia". One episode in 2014, "We can Build It", used the idea of a football stadium in Tasmania. The crux of the story was that the politicians wanted the stadium, but the advisors actually put up sensible reasons why it would be a White Elephant. The episode was so prophetic that iit should have been screened in the Tasmanian parliament before the vote was taken.

[onetrack]

The developers, combined with the vast sums of money available in the sporting arena today, will always get their way. I think this stadium is idiocy, especially the siting, and the monetary burden on such a small number of the Australian population. It's not like the money is being thrown into a major energy or water or food security plan, or other future national civilisation security outlay - it's just the equivalent of a Roman amphitheatre.

 

The W.A. Govt outlaid £2.5B ($5B) for the massive (for its time) Kalgoorlie reticulated water scheme, between 1899 and 1902. The project involved a large new dam, a 600km pipeline, 8 large steam-driven pumping stations, a sizeable number of storage tanks, and all the associated infrastructure.

The State population was only 140,000 people at the time, and the howls of outrage over the massive repayment burden (for centuries, claimed the opponents) on the W.A. population, were loud and long - and the loudest and most virulent opposition came from the editor of the local Sunday Times, one Frederick Vosper.

 

Vosper's continuous vicious attacks on the architect of the scheme, Charles Yelverton O'Connor, led to O'Connor committing suicide under the stress of the attacks, and overwork. Regardless, the scheme has been a major success, and has returned its outlay in spades over 123 years, and Kalgoorlie has produced hundreds of billions worth of gold and other important minerals, thanks to the ample supply of water available to the W.A. Goldfields.

 

I see no similar success or monetary return for the Tasmanians on their sporting outlay. The only beneficiaries will be that small number of people involved in major sports, and sports events are not energy, water or food security plans.

[red750]

When you think of the number of non-sporting events that take place at the MCG and Marvel Stadium, it will give Hobart a facility for entertainment that they don't currently have. As for the cost - you could compare it to the horrendously expensive Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail loop that generations of Victorians have been saddled with. But many on this forum have exclaimed "But it's infrastructure we need.", even if not available well into the future.

[facthunter]

Those Victorian facilities  are for Everyone's eventual Benefit. and are also an Infrastructural Necessity in a fast growing Place Like Melbourne is. Tassie has about the same Population as Geelong  But you have to sail or fly to get there, which put's a COST on everyone going there and returning afterwards. Eric ABETZ is the Treasurer, A throw back from the DARK ages if ever there was One. They aren't LISTENING to the People who will be the ones stuck with this decision. The AFL won't come to the rescue..  Nev

[octave]

12 minutes ago, facthunter said:

Those Victorian facilities  are for Everyone's eventual Benefit.

Exactly.   I travel on the train often, but those who drive their cars instead do benefit from all the travellers who are on the train and not clogging up the roads. 

[Marty_d]

The AFL are generously giving the project a whole $15m, or around 1%. The taxpayer is providing the other 99%.

Putting on my Nostradamus goggles, I predict that the AFL and any other private companies involved will see a return on investment, whereas all losses will be borne by the rest of us.

[Jerry_Atrick]

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Both North Melbourne and Hawthorn play a handful of home games, usually at Universityof Tasmania Stadium. With a capacity of 17.5k, one can usually see plenty of empty seats at these games

[facthunter]

 As Smarty will attest the Population of Tassie is not very dense and some younger ones are leaving to get jobs on the BIG Island.  Nev

[facthunter]

Bridget Archer and Jacqui Lambie are good People.  Nev