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Pro-Stadium Rally Swells as Tasmania’s Upper House Readies Decisive Vote on Macquarie Point Plan

The AFL has tied a Tasmania Devils licence to approval of the $1.13 billion roofed venue.

Overview

  • The Legislative Council will debate the project on Wednesday and Thursday with a final vote expected by Thursday evening.
  • Tasmania Police estimated about 15,000 attended Sunday’s pro-stadium rally, far outnumbering the roughly 1,500 at the previous week’s protest.
  • Undecided independents Bec Thomas and Dean Harriss hold the balance, with the project needing at least eight votes because the president would cast a tie-breaking vote against it by convention.
  • The AFL says the stadium is a non-negotiable condition for the Tasmania Devils’ entry, so a rejection would leave licence requirements unmet.
  • The planning commission urged the project not proceed due to size, heritage and an estimated $1.8 billion debt impact, while the lower house approved it 25–9 and, if passed, tenders are slated for early 2026 with a target opening for the 2029 AFL men’s season.