Tasmanian AFL team would need new stadium in 5-7 years: taskforce report

The development of a $715 million stadium at Macquarie Point has become a heavily-politicised final hurdle to Tasmania securing an elusive AFL licence.

In recent months, politicians have argued that the Tasmanian Taskforce report, released in early 2020, never recommended a new stadium.

However, one of the report's 11 core recommendations was that Launceston host Tasmania's clashes with high-drawing Melbourne teams until a new stadium could be built in Hobart.

"Launceston would host and benefit from 'blockbuster' matches being played at an enhanced 27,500 seat UTAS Stadium," the report read.

"Upon 'proof of concept', a longer-term aspiration should be a roofed, CBD-based 'Adelaide Oval' multi-purpose facility developed for Hobart to share all AFL content and opportunities with Launceston."

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Recommending home games be shared between Launceston and Hobart, the report's authors proposed that UTAS Stadium host "key football opportunities" for five to seven years until "a new, boutique Hobart CBD national stadium concept was delivered".

"Once 'live', the two regions would have high quality assets and vie for the biggest matches based simply and rationally upon supporter demand and club revenue potential," the report read.

"On current market and football demographics we see no reason to assume that each city won't be equally competitive."

Before giving its final assessment on the issue of stadiums, the report quotes Scott Verdouw, director of "nationally recognised" Jaws Architects, who advised the taskforce on a Macquarie Point stadium.

"If we want world class teams to play here, we should have a world class stadium," Mr Verdouw said.

"World class stadiums don't belong in the suburbs. I don't think expanding both Blundstone Arena or UTAS Stadium is a good long-term strategy. Congestion, car parking and noise are already issues which impact both spectators and residents.

"Like Adelaide Cricket Ground or the MCG, a world class inner-city stadium is far a better proposition. It turns a night out at the footy into a 'night out'. Football becomes one part of the evening's entertainment."

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In summing up 'the stadium question', the report labels the state's existing venues "insufficient" for a Tasmanian AFL team, and notes that stadia investment would demand "critical commitment" from state and federal governments.

The fate of the Macquarie Point stadium appears to hang on federal funding worth $240 million - a figure that outweighs the stadium expenditure required to secure Gold Coast and GWS' AFL licences put together.

In 2009, the Suns secured the 17th licence with a $126 million redevelopment of Carrara Stadium.

The Queensland state government put $60 million towards the project, which also drew $36 million in federal funding, $20 million from Gold Coast City Council, and $10 million from the AFL.

A year later, the Giants became the AFL's 18th team with a $60 million Sydney Showground upgrade funded by NSW state government ($45 million), the Royal Agricultural Society ($5 million), and the AFL ($10 million).

If it goes ahead, the $715 million Macquarie Point stadium will be funded by the state government ($375 million), federal government ($240 million), private investors (85 million) and the AFL ($15 million).

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