The Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) has released a savage report on the proposed new stadium for the state's looming AFL team.
Assigned the project of assessing the viability of the Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart back in October 2023, the TPC released its Recommendation Report on Wednesday which opens with the blunt line: "The Panel recommends that the project should not proceed."
The eight-page report examines a range of issues, including the financial, social and environmental impacts of the stadium, which the TPC states will require a $1 billion loan to construct that would balloon to $1.8 billion over 10 years
It concludes, in part: "The fundamental problem is the size, location and geographical features of the site, in its highly valued context, do not support the disproportionately large, monolithic building proposed.
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"Proceeding with the project will give rise to irrevocable and unacceptable adverse impacts on Hobart’s spatial and landscape character, urban form and historic cultural heritage.
"In addition, the project represents a significant net cost and will diminish the economic welfare of Tasmanians as a whole, and it offers almost no scope for the site to become a vibrant active place that is attractive to visit outside of major event mode.
"In very simple terms, the stadium is too big for the site and the benefits it will bring are significantly outweighed by the disbenefits it creates."
Despite the damning report, the TPC doesn't have final say on the project. That lies with the lower and upper houses of Tasmania's parliament.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff emphasised that point when he published a response on Facebook a short time ago.
"Today, the Tasmanian Planning Commission has released their report on the Mac Point Stadium," he wrote.
"It found that concerns around transport, safety, access and noise can be successfully addressed.
"Unfortunately, it still massively underestimates the social and economic benefits that the stadium, a new AFL team, and a supercharged events industry will have on Tasmania.
"It’s the reason why new stadiums right across the nation are approved using special laws, not the traditional planning scheme. And that’s why our process gives Parliament the final say.
"The TPC has done its job and I thank them. It’s now time for democratically elected Members of Parliament to have the final say.
"We will provide a comprehensive response to the TPC report soon. And we will continue to fight for this project. Because as a growing State, we simply cannot afford not to.
"This is so much bigger than politics. This is our future on the line."
The Devils have had moments of great fanfare since they were initially awarded a licence, with footy greats from the Apple Isle such as Matthew Richardson and Jack Riewoldt celebrating the state's long-awaited inclusion in the national competition.
It was announced earlier this month Tasmania's VFL and VFLW teams will enter those competitions in 2026 as the club continues to take shape.
There have also been speed bumps along the way, with Tasmanians fiercely divided over the proposed stadium.
The AFL has steadfastly maintained a new stadium is required for the Devils to enter the competition in 2028.