Do political elites really know what is best for a city by committing vast sums of taxpayer funds into a project at a time when the majority of Tasmanians do not want a new stadium, despite their desire for a Tasmanian AFL team?
When the Prime Minister was asked at a press conference on April 29 why the stadium was going ahead in the face of public opposition, he noted the prowess of political leaders knowing what was best for the national interest.
How arrogant, and how unconvincing at a time when many Tasmanians and Australians are struggling to meet their everyday higher cost of living needs.
Did Tasmania need a shiny $715 million new stadium to get the expected crowds that would accompany it becoming the AFL’s 19th side, now enabled by the Tasmanian government committing $375 million and the Commonwealth government $240 million?
Rather than take sides about how such public money should be spent, with one recent suggestion that the same proposed Hobart site could feature 1000 homes, a swimming basin, and a relocated state library at a cost of around $400 million, let us look at the facts in football fan terms to decide whether a new stadium is warranted.
Hobart is not building a stadium (27,000 capacity) that is lightyears ahead of the existing expected standard needed to host a weekly football match and attract fans.
After all, North Melbourne and Hawthorn have been playing AFL home matches in the existing Hobart and Launceston stadiums for a number of years with reasonable crowds turning up to such decent stadiums which already have capacities of 19,500 and 19,000.
University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Such grounds could easily make the necessary adjustments to achieve a higher 27,000 capacity in line with growing demand given the strong likelihood that many more Tasmanians will support a local team rather than North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
It also makes sense for the two existing stadiums to keep sharing AFL games, in much the same way that Sydney has two NRL teams that play home games in different regions to accommodate their fan-bases (Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra).
As it stands, the Tasmanian Premier has stated that Launceston’s existing AFL use stadium will still host four AFL matches once the new Hobart stadium is built, although he also acknowledges that AFL’s cooperation with the fixtures will be required.
What has been good enough for Sydney with its 5 million population also appears logical for Tasmania with a relatively paltry population of just 570,000, with Hobart and Launceston having around 250,000 and 100,000 respectively.
The AFL demands a new stadium, yet allows the Western Bulldogs to play a few matches at a pretty ordinary Mars Stadium (11,000 capacity) when compared to Tasmania’s existing football stadiums in Hobart and Launceston.
Why does the AFL host games in Darwin and Alice Springs, given their limited capacities and facilities with capacities of 12,500 and 7500?
Will the AFL be insisting that Canberra also build a new and expensive stadium if it is to host an AFL team, despite Manuka Oval also improving its facilities over the years in line with existing demand (now 16,000 capacity)?
Sure, down the track, both existing stadiums in Tasmania would also need to be upgraded, and perhaps a new stadium warranted in time due to growing demand or logistic reasons.
It has been wrong for policy elites to aid the AFL’s demand for a new stadium, especially in light of a lack of public support by most Tasmanians.
In these tougher economic times, it would be much wiser for policy elites to consider supporting proposals to develop old and new stadiums in line with existing public demand rather than insist on a shiny new stadium simply for the hell of it, one where a very expensive ground may only host seven AFL home matches per year as long as Launceston rightfully remains in the AFL equation.
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Virgil
Roar Rookie
Very true but disingenuous to pretend that these decisions don’t have an impact on govt spending or that the AFL is anything other than a ruthless business that cares little for the social fabric. What is worse is listening to seasoned journalists like Caroline Wilson saying she has been assured by Albanese that the money will be there for necessary social projects - I think even Pravda would blush at some of this nonsense. As much as I love Australian rules, I will take my cue from Richard Flanagan - widely regarded here in the UK as one of the world’s living great writers - rather than tin pot politicians and AFL cronies.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Lots of homeless in Tassie & around the country it’s an ongoing problem that will gravely get worse.
Virgil
Roar Rookie
Australia’s greatest living writer, Richard Flanagan, completely savaged the project. He argues the project is “wildly unpopular” and has become a symbol of “government inaction” on public housing, education and health. He also notes the figures quoted are fanciful and does not include costings for public transport, road works or parking. It’s a pretty damning indictment of the project. He also notes that the stadium has resulted in the abandonment of Truth and Reconciliation project planned for the area – rather ironical in the present circumstances. You would have to wonder, at least, given all the rhetoric around fiscal tightening, whether this is the best use of limited government funds?
RT
Roar Rookie
Great comment Munro Mike, on all points stated.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
firstly - a rectangle stadium for rugby/soccer is a smaller footprint than around an AFL/Cricket oval. secondly - the small matter of the roof thirdly - they see this one as a major precinct project on Macquarie Point so there might be additional works similar to with the Adelaide Oval where the foot bridge and river precinct works were included in the 'project cost' rather than just the stadium alone.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
it can be suggested that the AFL has played into the hands of the Govt as well. Tasmania has agitated for a long time; and jumped in with Basketball with the JackJumpers; and there's been noises regarding soccer "Football Tasmania president Bob Gordon stated in 2021 that he was confident a club would likely be entering the competition as soon as 2023. The bid has the backing of the Tasmanian government." So.....the Tassie Govt has shown a willingness perhaps to engage with anyone else I suspect with an eye on putting a rocket under the AFL. And that's now come to fruition. I think it's wrong to view this as AFL forcing themselves upon Tasmania. btw - Tassie will benefit from ongoing economic activity around having an AFL club in situ; there are many people employed full and part time in and around an AFL club. There's the ongoing monies in annually via the AFL revenues/distribution; and of course there's 100s of millions of construction work to be taken on in Hobart. This isn't about carving up an existing pie but rather about adding to and enlarging the pie. And let it be said - - far, far better than say a big spend on a stadium for a one off event (like a soccer world cup) that wouldn't be fit for purpose for what is the day to day thereafter or was before.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Mate - you don't need to go personal on this. I've simply stated a fact and you respond like that? That's not polite at all. Stick to your opinion on the facts and comments.
RT
Roar Rookie
I have no vested interest in either place so I'll take your word for it. I just wish a Tassie team all the best and I imagine they will become most supporters second favourite team. I said here a while ago that I'd give them 18 home games a year initially (split North and South). I see Eddie is stealing my ideas now.
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
RT, that stat has been consistent over the years. Sadly Hobart sees what a success AFL is in Launceston then wants all the benefits that come with a well run, central ground in our state. People from Burnie, Devonport will not travel four hours down to Hobart & arrive back home ( about 3am) ( Lack of accommodation )Hobart have never patronised sporting events consistently. If games were held ONLY in Hobart the team would be broke in a few years. ( :silly: It will be interesting to see the feedback from the south of the state ) :laughing:
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
What, you think the MCG doesn’t have elite corporate facilities ? Of course there has to be certain crowd attendances, but corporate hospitality is what makes it work financially, everywhere, including Melbourne.
RT
Roar Rookie
Because Hawthorn have done a better job on all fronts than North Melbourne. And it’s North Melbourne.
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
RT could you please explain why Launceston crowds patronise UTAS stadium more than Bellerive ? ( Bellrive ave crowds this season 10422 ) ( UTAS Stadium Launceston ave crowds this season 13922 ) & you want to cut Launceston from the footy calendar when Hobart can not match Launceston crowds !!! :unhappy:
Samuel Cox
Roar Pro
Have to say, there really is something to be said for having a stadium in a great location in the city. I'm from Adelaide and going to West Lakes in the suburbia of western Adelaide for years was such a chore. The new Adelaide Oval changed the whole experience of going to a football game and revitalised the river bank part of the city in a way I don't think any other building could. You make valid points about the money being spent and other options being available, but I think the other options a second best and the reality is this money was not going to be funnelled to where it should (which itself is a highly subjective argument). I bet once its built the majority of people in Hobart will love it.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
why would you call it "Ponting oval" in Hobart? Punter is from Launceston. Let alone - - cricket aren't putting any money into this and initially didn't want any part of it. Instead - call it Hudson-Hart Arena or something like that.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Hmm....I attended the sold out Good Friday game at Docklands this year as well as the 85K at the MCG for the Anzac Eve (as a neutral). And no mate - - no 'bogan bomb' to be seen. Many families and very well behaved groups of youths.........both male, and female. Very impressed with crowd behaviour and make up.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
"Modern stadium economics is all about corporate hospitality" Mebbe in Sydney. In Melbourne the economics are based on guaranteed AFL matches/attendences; the MCG is and prior to AFL taking over - Docklands was also based on annual benchmarks for minimum number of games and attendees. But then Docklands only involved Govt land and the MCG a pittance of Govt funds.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
you haven't factored in the cricket, soccer, Union/League, concerts........and University graduations.....
Macca
Roar Rookie
There is an episode of Utopia that sovers this brilliantly - the Pollies decide Tassie should have a new sports stadium, Rob Sitch does some research and finds it isn't feasible, so they do some town halls to see if the people want one, they don't but have a laundry list of other demands - then the Pollies announce a new stadium
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Blundstone is on the waters edge.........a great spot but limited. And not overly easy to get to. This new stadium at Macquarie Point will be the best thing to happen to Hobart for a long time.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
the irony is it's often a lazy politically charged comment..........often by people who support the parties that generally favour selling off and privatising everything.