Tasmania’s parliament has approved the construction of a new AFL stadium as the home of the Devils AFL and AFLW team.
The historic move was voted through the state’s parliament at 11pm on Thursday night after two days of debate.
The planned stadium at Macquarie Point, Hobart, is estimated to cost $1.13 billion and seat 23,000 fans to watch the Tasmania Devils and other sports teams from 2028.
“Today is a historic day in the short history of the Tasmania Devils Football Club,” the AFL said in a late night statement.
“Since the announcement of the club on May 3, 2023, the Devils have made great progress, ticking off milestones along the journey, and pleasingly today, through parliament, the Tasmanian people have spoken.”
Political football
The stadium’s approval has been politically divisive with the vote from Tasmania’s legislators only just passing, due to worries the state cannot afford its share of the construction costs.
However, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff took to Facebook to celebrate the news on Thursday night.
“Mac Point has just passed the Tasmanian parliament. Our democracy has spoken. Let’s unite and move forward together,” Mr Rockliff said.
The chief executive of the AFL Andrew Dillon also cheered the approval as ‘a historic day’ for Tasmania and the competition.
“This is an incredibly important outcome for everyone who has worked tirelessly to see a Tasmanian footy club compete on the national stage, and for the hundreds of thousands of Tasmanians who have stood behind the Devils with such passion and pride,” Mr Dillon said on Thursday night.
More to come.
https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/hobart-stadium-approved-in-historic-day-for-tasmanian-devils-afl-team-c-20896226
