A freshly heritage listed historic shed is the newest threat to the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium in Tasmania.
The AFL licence, granted to Tasmania on the condition a new 23,000 seat stadium with a roof is built in Hobart, recently received a boost when the State Liberals formed a new Government.
But a decision handed down by the Tasmanian Heritage Council on the 115 metre-long Hobart Railway Goods Shed jeopardies the project, expected to cost upwards of $700 million.
The shed served the railway system until the 1970s and in recent times has been used for temporary events. Now that it is on the state heritage register, it cannot be demolished.
“As a building associated with the state’s former rail transport network, the Hobart Railway Goods Shed is rare in the Tasmanian context. Within its class of place it is an unusually extensive building,” a report from the Tasmanian Heritage Council says.
It’s immediately unclear if the shed could be moved, although comments from Heritage Council chair Brett Torossi indicate it’s at least a possibility.
“Any future change to the Goods Shed, including relocation within the property, would need to be consistent with the heritage council's works guidelines,” he said.
The cost, location and whether the stadium is roofed have all been fierce discussion points throughout the process.
The stadium is currently progressing through a project of state significance planning process.
Tasmania’s AFL side is set to enter the competition in 2028, with the new stadium to be ready shortly after. The club is named the Devils and already has a membership greater than 150,000, indicating widespread support for the 19th team.
The stadium remains opposed by the state's Greens party and has mixed support generally.
