We want a new stadium for Hobart. But there must be a less terrible place for it.
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra musicians, staff, management and board are united in support for Tasmania’s AFL and AFLW team and a high-performance stadium in Hobart.
But the orchestra is calling for a ‘less terrible’ location than 170 metres from Tasmania’s existing performing arts centre, the Federation Concert Hall.
TSO Chief Executive Officer Caroline Sharpen says that like the TSO, the Tasmania Devils AFL and AFLW team will be a high-performance team that’s a source of immense pride for Tasmania.
‘The Devils need a purpose-built stadium. For high-performance, you need purpose-built facilities. Can’t we find a location for our new high-performance stadium that does not jeopardise our own high-performance arena – our concert hall?’ Ms Sharpen says.
‘We’re certain there must be a less terrible location for our new stadium. There must be a spot that does not compromise our state concert hall, our Cenotaph and war memorial, and the famous maritime heritage of our waterfront.’
‘We’ve done a lot of searching and we’re yet to find another example of a government anywhere in the world prepared to build a 23,000-seat stadium 170m from the perimeter of their state performing arts centre,’ Ms Sharpen says.
Read opinion piece by TSO Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Sharpen.
Close up of the adapted Precinct Plan mockup to represent the 170m distance from the stadium wall to TSO and Federation Concert Hall.
Adapted Mac Point Precinct Plan mockup to represent the close proximity of the proposed stadium location to cultural landmarks.
Have your say on the proposed stadium.
The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Project of State Significance Draft Integrated Assessment Report (draft IAR) is open for public comment until 8 May 2025.
You can read the full Draft IAR here.
In the draft Impact Assessment report, the Panel finds the operation of the stadium may affect the Federation Concert Hall and operation of the TSO’s varied activities. It also finds that construction noise is ‘likely to be incompatible with the activities occurring at the Federation Concert Hall’. It further notes that noise mitigation approaches outlined by the stadium proponent ‘may not be sufficient to mitigate the effect construction stage noise has on the current operation at the Concert Hall’.
Our sincere hope is that the Panel’s final report includes a strong recommendation that: the TSO, its concert hall, recording studio and cultural export hub activities, are protected during and after the construction of a stadium.
Everyone can make a representation to the Commission until midnight on 8 May 2025 via the online representation form on the Commission website.
Representations may also be submitted by post to Tasmanian Planning Commission, GPO Box 1691, HOBART TAS 7001.
How can you get involved?
1 – Write a submission
The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium POSS Draft IAR is open for public comment until midnight on 8 May 2025.
Everyone can make a representation to the Commission until midnight on 8 May 2025 via the online representation form on the Commission website.
2 – Get in touch
Send us a short email of support to community@tso.com.au so we can show our elected members that the community’s behind us as we call for a better solution for Hobart’s stadium.
We’re a creative, resourceful, dogged state. Surely we can find a solution that delivers a stadium for Hobart without threatening our precious state assets: Federation Concert Hall, the Cenotaph and war memorial and our maritime heritage precinct.
Email us
3 – Support your orchestra
The best way to show your support is to come along to a TSO concert, to experience one of the world’s best orchestras for yourself!
See upcoming events
Is the TSO against an AFL stadium in Hobart?
- Not at all.
- TSO musicians, staff, and board are united in our support of a high-performance stadium in Hobart.
- We are advocating for a different location which does not jeopardise our own high-performance arena - Federation Concert Hall and our rehearsal, recording and film studios and international export hub at 1 Davey Street.
Does the TSO support a local AFL and AFLW team?
- 100%
- The TSO is highly supportive of the Tasmania Devils AFL and AFLW teams, who will be a source of immense pride for all Tasmanians.
From our home on Hobart’s waterfront in Federation Concert Hall, the TSO performs hundreds of concerts and events across Tasmania and reaches millions of listeners annually via radio, recordings and streaming.
How can you get involved?
1 – Write a submission
The Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium POSS Draft IAR is open for public comment until midnight on 8 May 2025.
Everyone can make a representation to the Commission until midnight on 8 May 2025 via the online representation form on the Commission website.
2 – Get in touch
Send us a short email of support to community@tso.com.au so we can show our elected members that the community’s behind us as we call for a better solution for Hobart’s stadium.
We’re a creative, resourceful, dogged state. Surely we can find a solution that delivers a stadium for Hobart without threatening our precious state assets: Federation Concert Hall, the Cenotaph and war memorial and our maritime heritage precinct.
Email us
3 – Support your orchestra
The best way to show your support is to come along to a TSO concert, to experience one of the world’s best orchestras for yourself!
See upcoming events
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