{"id":30719,"date":"2025-12-04T22:26:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T12:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/?p=30719"},"modified":"2025-12-04T22:59:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T12:59:35","slug":"worlds-largest-timber%e2%80%91roofed-stadium-will-be-built-at-macquarie-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/worlds-largest-timber%e2%80%91roofed-stadium-will-be-built-at-macquarie-point\/","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s Largest Timber\u2011Roofed Stadium Will Be Built at Macquarie Point"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s now official. The world\u2019s largest oval\u2011shaped stadium with a timber roof will be built at Macquarie Point after the $1.13 billion project passed both houses of Tasmanian Parliament tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the final vote the state government needed to approve the 23,000-seat arena, which was required under a signed agreement between the Tasmanian government and the AFL for the state to enter the competition. The final vote, at 11 pm tonight, saw the Upper House vote 9 to 5 in favour of the stadium, and comes after three divisive years in Tasmania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premier Jeremy Rockliff moved the proposed stadium from nearby Regatta Point to Macquarie Point, and the location was then written into the agreement with the AFL. It was declared a Project of State Significance, and laws were changed to ensure parliament had the final vote after two Liberal backbenchers quit the party to become independents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest breakthrough came after Casey Hiscutt, along with Bec Thomas and Tania Rattray, joined them yesterday in supporting the stadium, giving the government eight of the 15 votes needed to proceed. \u201cI will be supporting this order and the future of our state,\u201d Hiscutt said. \u201cMy decision goes beyond the statements, beyond the reports, beyond the spreadsheets. It goes beyond the fear of the unknown and the unease of change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"r53
Casey Hiscutt is an independent member of Tasmania\u2019s Legislative Council, representing the seat of Montgomery since May 2024. He succeeded his mother, Leonie Hiscutt, who previously held the seat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His declaration ensured the government\u2019s order to build the stadium would pass, despite a damning recommendation from the Tasmanian Planning Commission that questioned its economic viability, visual impact on Hobart\u2019s heritage waterfront, and overall value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AFL licence has been central to the debate.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Hiscutt, the final domino to fall in support of the project, rubbished suggestions that Tasmania should enter the league without a new stadium. \u201cI hear a lot of people saying we have earned a team or we deserve a team \u2014 and those statements are true,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, the AFL is a business, and it does not work on words like \u2018earned\u2019 or \u2018deserved\u2019; it works on words like \u2018long\u2011term sustainability\u2019 and \u2018profitability\u2019. It has been determined that the deal struck between the AFL and the Premier satisfies their needs in this regard. But to use emotion to dictate that this will be renegotiated is farcical at best and duplicity at worst.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Here\u2019s our most complete design of the Mac Point Precinct to date.

It acknowledges how far we\u2019ve come as a growing State.

Renewing parts of our heritage to create something truly Tasmanian.

Something we can all come to, together and be proud of.

Built by us, for us.

Just\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/lz8O7Udh5I<\/a><\/p>— Jeremy Rockliff (@jeremyrockliff) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>