Ms BURNET (Clark) – Deputy Speaker, last night the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) handed down its interim assessment report. The proposed stadium at Macquarie Point is a case study in missed opportunities. With strategic planning and community buy-in, the project could have enjoyed widespread support, but it does not have social licence. Any project like this involving billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money over forward Estimates must have the backing of the people. However, in February, EMRS told us that nearly three-fifths, or 59 per cent of respondents to their poll opposed the stadium, while an overwhelming 67 per cent in the north and 65 per cent of respondents in the north west opposed the stadium.
The TPC’s interim report pokes many holes in the proposal, but I will focus on just one aspect, an important part of any stadium proposal, and that is transport. Earlier today, the Premier spoke glowingly of his recent visit to the Adelaide Oval, drawing comparisons between that stadium and this one. However, these comparisons missed the mark completely as far as transport goes. It is like comparing apples with oranges. Apart from the thousands of residents who live nearby in the inner city, Adelaide Oval is linked to neighbouring suburbs by a functioning transport system, by rail, tram and bus services. The oval has been well set up, it is central, an existing use, and close to the central railway station.
There are a staggering number of assumptions, excessive optimism in the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) proposal and, conversely, an information deficit on important matters. The proposal assumes a ferry terminal and a Collins Street pedestrian bridge – another piece of kit with a multi-million-dollar price tag that is unfunded. Basic information such as a traffic plan for the entire construction phase of the project is missing. The northern access road is not funded. Its design presents problems for large vehicles. This northern access road is vital for the Australian Antarctic Division and TasPorts operations that require 24-hour access seven days a week, although the proponent proposes limited access on match and event days. How is that going to work? The northern access road links to the proposed bus plaza, which is a bottleneck that does not accommodate the projected number of patrons arriving by bus.
The TPC report suggests that all future bus stops should be disability standard-compliant, and that is fantastic. Of course, they should be. Across Tasmania, of the 3500 bus stops, only 162 – less than 5 per cent – are fully compliant. I am sure those catching buses with access issues in Launceston or Burnie would sooner have bus-stop upgrades in their neighbourhood rather than footing the bill for a Hobart stadium.
Can we imagine a world in which the state government cares about public transport as an important part of daily life in our modern city? I wonder if we can. The Macquarie Point stadium could have been a driver for increased investment in public transport, but it is apparent that the transport needs of daily commuters in greater Hobart are irrelevant to the Rockliff government, hellbent on bankrupting the state with grandiose projects we do not need and clearly do not want. I urge the public to put in their submissions before 8 May as part of the TPC Project of State Significance process.
