Hobart Stadium: $750 million cost

[Professor Knowall]

The latest (first 3 paragraphs included below) from the ABC. Unlike most of the ABC articles which have been generally sceptical or outright hostile to any new AFL stadium, this one is neutral, giving some facts rather than mere opinion -

New images of Hobart's proposed Macquarie Point stadium released

New images of Hobart's proposed stadium have been released, along with 800 pages of additional information following a request from the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

www.abc.net.au

More than 800 pages of additional information has been provided to the Tasmanian Planning Commission by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, in response to a request for more information about the stadium project.

Among its various requests, which were made in November, the TPC had asked for more visualisations of the stadium's effects on the broader area, leading to Friday's release of new images that show how the proposed Macquarie Point stadium would look from the Hobart waterfront.

Three additional images, provided by consulting firm 'SLR', show how the stadium appears behind a row of heritage buildings on Hunter Street, and from Constitution Dock. …

 

[robo_1]

Oval stadia cost more, Australian labour costs more, and building materials cost more after the recent global inflation spike.

It’s funny how people and media obsess over the price tag of the stadium of 750 million plus blowouts but if the government just wasted that much in handouts and consultants and feasibility studies on wasteless projects no one would bat an eyelid. It’s only the media and some politicians who keep beating it up for their own gain

 

[Saucery]

‘Unworkable’: Fresh concerns for Tassie stadium as cricket, AFL left at odds over key element

‘Unworkable’: Fresh concerns for Tassie stadium as cricket, AFL left at odds over key element

www.foxsports.com.au

Does anyone know if it's CA or the ICC who are responsible for deciding if a venue is viable for international matches?

 

[Saucery]

Must admit I'm kind of worried that it will be difficult to attract enough specialist construction workers for the project, considering the QLD Olympic stadiums will suck up a lot of spare capacity (if there even is any).

 

[Mr north man]

Hey!!! North Melbourne might have something to say about that. It's taken them a decade of poor on field performance to earn that timeslot. They might not take kindly to having some upstarts muscling in on their gig. Tell the Devils to go and earn their own crappy timeslot

That said, if the AFL ever shifts the Grand Final to Sunday at 4 pm, North will have it in the bag.

Well got news for you once Tasmania come in they will get a better draw then North,Bulldogs and St.Kilda and will be well looked after.
As for Premierships iv seen 4 of them what about you with your club.

 

[jpmelb7]

Does anyone think North & Hawthorn would sell their home game against Tassie back to Tasmania? North have obviously signed W.A deal already. Perhaps after that? Would give Tasmania 13 games in home state.

 

[Speck]

Does anyone think North & Hawthorn would sell their home game against Tassie back to Tasmania? North have obviously signed W.A deal already. Perhaps after that? Would give Tasmania 13 games in home state.

I'm not sure Tassie will be flush with cash compared to the WA clubs. The priority for the government will be to spend money on the club rather than giving it to opposition clubs.

I can absolutely see a Tassie gather round incoming though. Especially if you've got the new stadium, Bellrieve and York Park to schedule games at.

 

[Ratdweller]

Well got news for you once Tasmania come in they will get a better draw then North,Bulldogs and St.Kilda and will be well looked after.
As for Premierships iv seen 4 of them what about you with your club.

Settle down mate, I was being satirical (which means that there is indeed an element of truth underpinning). My point is that the AFL do dole out awful timeslots to the smaller clubs, particularly when they are underperforming on the field, but when Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond and Hawthorn have underperformed over the years since North won its last flag (1999) the AFL haven't given them crappy timeslots, in fact they hand them marquee games and premium broadcast free to air time slots. It is ordinary considering that since 1999 Carlton hasn't won a flag at all. Or to put another spin on it, consider that North Melbourne have won more Premierships in the last 50 years than Collingwood.

 

[Professor Knowall]

So now it looks like the new Hobart stadium is perking the interest of cricket authorities in England - in a good way -

British cricket authorities look to replicate Macquarie Point stadium design in Manchester

UK officials are ‘closely monitoring the developments’ in Hobart…

pulsetasmania.com.au

 

[Outtatym]

So now it looks like the new Hobart stadium is perking the interest of cricket authorities in England - in a good way -

British cricket authorities look to replicate Macquarie Point stadium design in Manchester

UK officials are ‘closely monitoring the developments’ in Hobart…

pulsetasmania.com.au

Considering they live in shit weather 90% of the year why haven't they done this years ago?

 

[jdisc]

Considering they live in shit weather 90% of the year why haven't they done this years ago?

it's a british tradition to be worse than other countries at doing the sports you invented

 

[Nepotism]

I can't believe England doesn't have a roofed cricket stadium.

 

[TheTassieHawk]

The TPC have apparently noted concerns with flow of attendees at the end of events, as well as stadium design and finance aspects

MSN

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I'm not sure Tassie will be flush with cash compared to the WA clubs. The priority for the government will be to spend money on the club rather than giving it to opposition clubs.

I can absolutely see a Tassie gather round incoming though. Especially if you've got the new stadium, Bellrieve and York Park to schedule games at.

Was wondering if in such a small city there would be the requisite hotel rooms of necessary standard to host a gather round. But assuming six games in Hobart, probably. Three games in Lonny might struggle for enough 4star+ (guess AFL minimums) accommodation, so possibly a 7-2 split.
With players, coaching and support staff, umpires, media (those that bother to travel), club and league hangers-on, nine games might need to accommodate 1000 people before any fans turn up.

 

[Saucery]

Was wondering if in such a small city there would be the requisite hotel rooms of necessary standard to host a gather round. But assuming six games in Hobart, probably. Three games in Lonny might struggle for enough 4star+ (guess AFL minimums) accommodation, so possibly a 7-2 split.
With players, coaching and support staff, umpires, media (those that bother to travel), club and league hangers-on, nine games might need to accommodate 1000 people before any fans turn up.

Wrest Point casino likes this

 

[Saucery]

So, the total cost including all of the other infrastructure has now gone from high 700,000 to 1.2 billion with all the necessary infrastructure changes to be made? Around 1hr average waiting to catch a bus after leaving a stadium that apparently needs a roof? No wonder they fought so hard to hide the truth.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Wrest Point casino likes this

Well, the state is set up mostly to get political donations from the Federal Group.

 

[Aussie in exile]

So, the total cost including all of the other infrastructure has now gone from high 700,000 to 1.2 billion with all the necessary infrastructure changes to be made? Around 1hr average waiting to catch a bus after leaving a stadium that apparently needs a roof? No wonder they fought so hard to hide the truth.

These infrastructures rarely in ever are done within budget, and possibly the final figure will be above the 1.2 billion quoted.
The Tassie government are going to face some hard questions from the local taxpayers over this whole saga.

 

[Ratdweller]

These infrastructures rarely in ever are done within budget, and possibly the final figure will be above the 1.2 billion quoted.
The Tassie government are going to face some hard questions from the local taxpayers over this whole saga.

The issue is that the stadium will likely only generate as little as 53 cents of revenue for every dollar of costs to run. In other words, seating only 27,000, it will never realised a return.

 

[Professor Knowall]

The issue is that the stadium will likely only generate as little as 53 cents of revenue for every dollar of costs to run. In other words, seating only 27,000, it will never realised a return.

The Tasmanian Planning Commission report has been heavily disputed, apparently riddled with factual errors -

Hobart stadium developer takes aim at 'errors' in draft planning report

The government authority responsible for the proposed Hobart stadium says a scathing draft planning commission report into the project should be given "limited, if any weight", and it has sought and received legal advice.

www.abc.net.au

Hobart stadium's social benefits 'are there for all to see', Abetz says

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

www.abc.net.au

 

[errant bounce]

Considering they live in shit weather 90% of the year why haven't they done this years ago?

British stadium design is really, really outdated, they never do anything revolutionary.

 

[Ratdweller]

The Tasmanian Planning Commission report has been heavily disputed, apparently riddled with factual errors -

Hobart stadium developer takes aim at 'errors' in draft planning report

The government authority responsible for the proposed Hobart stadium says a scathing draft planning commission report into the project should be given "limited, if any weight", and it has sought and received legal advice.

www.abc.net.au

Hobart stadium's social benefits 'are there for all to see', Abetz says

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

www.abc.net.au

Time will tell, but consider that the commission consisted of three members each from both sides of the political spectrum. They were chosen because they had no direct vested interest. If the report is correct then it will be too late if the stadium is built and is a white elephant. $1.2 billion is probably a more accurate assessment. After all, what happens once they start excavating the Macquarie point site and suddenly realise that the soil there next to the Derwent River isn't as stable as anticipated or is affected by water from the Derwent? Costs escalate. Virtually every major government construction in Melbourne next to the Yarra over the last 60 years blew out in time and costs for those very reasons.

Given the size of this project relative to the size of Tasmania's economy it is a potentially enormous financial risk and accordingly the government need to ensure that every possible risk is totally analysed and considered before a shovel hits the ground. This has to be done because clearly the Tasmanian population are significantly against the present proposal. A statewide poll conducted in February revealed as much as 62% of the state is opposed to it. Three Federal seats out of the four having 67%, 64% and 55% against while only one seat based on Hobart had 49% support, 48% against and 3% unsure. These things can't be ignored or simply dismissed by those in Victoria who demand a new stadium. People for and against need to consider every aspect. $1.2 billion in Tasmania is the equivalent of Victoria committing to a $14 billion project which carries a potential risk of never breaking even (like Brisbane will experience with the Olympics). Consider how Victoria recently baulked and pulled out of spending $5-6 billion to host the Commonwealth Games.

 

[madmug]

Time will tell, but consider that the commission consisted of three members each from both sides of the political spectrum. They were chosen because they had no direct vested interest. If the report is correct then it will be too late if the stadium is built and is a white elephant. $1.2 billion is probably a more accurate assessment. After all, what happens once they start excavating the Macquarie point site and suddenly realise that the soil there next to the Derwent River isn't as stable as anticipated or is affected by water from the Derwent? Costs escalate. Virtually every major government construction in Melbourne next to the Yarra over the last 60 years blew out in time and costs for those very reasons.

Given the size of this project relative to the size of Tasmania's economy it is a potentially enormous financial risk and accordingly the government need to ensure that every possible risk is totally analysed and considered before a shovel hits the ground. This has to be done because clearly the Tasmanian population are significantly against the present proposal. A statewide poll conducted in February revealed as much as 62% of the state is opposed to it. Three Federal seats out of the four having 67%, 64% and 55% against while only one seat based on Hobart had 49% support, 48% against and 3% unsure. These things can't be ignored or simply dismissed by those in Victoria who demand a new stadium. People for and against need to consider every aspect. $1.2 billion in Tasmania is the equivalent of Victoria committing to a $14 billion project which carries a potential risk of never breaking even (like Brisbane will experience with the Olympics). Consider how Victoria recently baulked and pulled out of spending $5-6 billion to host the Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth games is a 2 week affair, so hardly comparable.
Anything getting built in Hobart wouldn't be 'greatly' supported by lot of people in the North. It never has been & it never will. The South also grizzle because the North get a huge advantage in Federal handouts around election time due to being 'in play' for both major parties.
The Government & the opposition both support it. They know this is a one & only chance for a number of things. Not only a ONCE ONLY chance to join the AFL. They want to do this also because it makes a huge positive statement of intent to develop & grow the economic opportunity in & for Tasmania.

 

[RodneyMaynard]

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/105159808

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he no longer has faith in two reports critical of the proposed Hobart stadium, firming up speculation he may rip the project from its current planning assessment.

 

[Ratdweller]

The Commonwealth games is a 2 week affair, so hardly comparable.
Anything getting built in Hobart wouldn't be 'greatly' supported by lot of people in the North. It never has been & it never will. The South also grizzle because the North get a huge advantage in Federal handouts around election time due to being 'in play' for both major parties.
The Government & the opposition both support it. They know this is a one & only chance for a number of things. Not only a ONCE ONLY chance to join the AFL. They want to do this also because it makes a huge positive statement of intent to develop & grow the economic opportunity in & for Tasmania.

I beg to differ. It is directly comparable. The investment in infrastructure and conducting the now cancelled Commonwealth Games was calculated to never break even. What concerns many in Tasmania are the facts established in the report which quoted construction costs upwards of $780 million and likely to rise as high as $1.2 billion. The legacy of the up front cost of construction will linger if the stadium is predicted to never break even due to ongoing operating and maintenance costs. The report also detailed issues with human movement and traffic management among many other issues. At the end of the day, this is not an issue for Victorians, the AFL or anyone else to decide upon. It will be the Tasmanian people who must decide, and as I previously stated, there is a significant lack of support for the stadium in Tasmania. They want a team but don't understand why they are being demanded (by mainlanders) to spend so much money on a new stadium when they already have two existing stadiums that have recently undergone significant upgrades and development? It's easy for mainlanders to say "spend the money", but to a State with 535,000 people, $1.2 billion is a hell of a lot of money to be directing away from other potential infrastructure.