Securing Tasmania’s Future: Why Mac Point 2.0 Offers a Sound Alternative

As advocates for responsible development and fiscal prudence, we at MAC2.0 find the recent discussions around Tasmania’s AFL stadium proposals particularly poignant. Greg Barns’s article in the Mercury, drawing on the insights of independent economist Dr Nicholas Gruen, echoes our long-standing concerns regarding the Macquarie Point development (Mac 1.0).

Dr Gruen’s report, commissioned as part of the Jacqui Lambie Network's oversight, critiques the rushed process and fiscal mismanagement associated with the government's current stadium proposal. It highlights the disregard for genuine stakeholder engagement and the potential financial burdens that could fall unfairly on Tasmanian taxpayers.

At MAC2.0, we proposed an alternative—a vision grounded in community benefit and financial sustainability. Our proposal not only meets but exceeds expectations by integrating residential, commercial, and recreational facilities into a community-centric precinct. Unlike the current plan, our approach leverages a public-private partnership model, significantly reducing taxpayer risk while ensuring the project's commercial viability.

In alignment with Dr Gruen’s recommendations, we advocate for a return to thorough planning and true cost assessments. The fiscal irresponsibility currently displayed must be challenged to prevent long-term economic repercussions for our state.

For a detailed analysis of these issues and to understand why a reconsideration of MAC2.0 is not just sensible but necessary, we encourage reading Greg Barns’s full article here.