Independent report into Hobart's proposed new stadium has found the costs of the project have been significantly underestimated

[All Aust]

The no confidence motion was in Rockliff, not the Liberal party. They're choosing the election.

Any of the other Liberals could have taken over as leader and this would have ended yesterday.

Political Game played with full knowledge that the Liberals and the voting public do not want another Premier.

 

[dmc333]

Political Game played with full knowledge that the Liberals and the voting public do not want another Premier.

And? What's worse, new premier or an election they'll probably lose?

 

[All Aust]

And? What's worse, new premier or an election they'll probably lose?

Libs are not losing a Tas state election.

 

[dmc333]

Libs are not losing a Tas state election.

Ok.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

They pour millions of dollars into GWS and GCS they would get propped up the tune of 30-50 million pa. GWS is a failure you aren’t gonna pull western Sydney juniors away from rugby league with how strong the panthers junior pathways are. And they are light years away from being self sufficient.

GCS I actually like what they are doing off field junior numbers are up a truck load and they are producing qld prospects. You would hope that increases viewership numbers and increased crowds.

Obviously you have the tv deal with the extra games and add breaks. But I’m fully
Of the belief Tasmania would be self sufficient if given the keys to do so I don’t have that hope with gws or gcs

none of them are failures

they are multi-generational business plans.........GWS is still in its infancy, its 14 years old....

GWS won't see financial success until kids turn to adults (who then have money) and have kids of their own. Gold Coast is the exact same.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Libs are not losing a Tas state election.

Not while Labor refuses to even try to form government.

 

[Walshawk]

you have spelt out the issue.....well at least the business issue.

The AFL introduced GWS and GC to take market share off NRL. They invested money to than get a return back.

They don't need to invest to get Tasmania to follow the AFL, they already do.

GWS has not made a dent in the NRL’s market share. Rugby League is the strongest it’s ever been in Western Sydney. Since 2012, GWS crowds have not changed at all. The NRL clubs in the area are up by 40% since the Giants entered the competition.

On the Gold Coast, neither the Suns nor the Titans crowds have changed since 2010-12.

TV ratings have not changed either with GWS games not rating any higher than games involving Victorian clubs. No figures available for GC.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Can anyone tell me why the Devils can't just play at Bellerive & Launceston in their infancy years?

You mean like how they have been already playing AFL games at those venues with no issues...

 

[Freomaniac]

You mean like how they have been already playing AFL games at those venues with no issues...

Exactly .

If the AFL is that passionate about having a Tasmanian side in the AFL, maybe the AFL should put some money in.

So it's gonna cost 900 million for a new stadium.

AFLs tv rights deal from 2025 to 2031 is 4.5 billion dollars.

Maybe the AFL should send 900 million dollars to build up the stadium lol

 

[LOLchie Schultz]

Exactly .

If the AFL is that passionate about having a Tasmanian side in the AFL, maybe the AFL should put some money in.

So it's gonna cost 900 million for a new stadium.

AFLs tv rights deal from 2025 to 2031 is 4.5 billion dollars.

Maybe the AFL should send 900 million dollars to build up the stadium lol

And then claim it back on tax!

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

Exactly .

If the AFL is that passionate about having a Tasmanian side in the AFL, maybe the AFL should put some money in.

So it's gonna cost 900 million for a new stadium.

AFLs tv rights deal from 2025 to 2031 is 4.5 billion dollars.

Maybe the AFL should send 900 million dollars to build up the stadium lol

Yes because the clubs will agree to that…..

 

[catters05]

This. People in here are severely underestimating how awful Tasmania's weather is during the winter month. You would have games that become legit compromised because of the wind, which is why a roof is essential

Is the retractable roof cheaper to support cricket interest?

 

[speedpeck23]

GWS has not made a dent in the NRL’s market share. Rugby League is the strongest it’s ever been in Western Sydney. Since 2012, GWS crowds have not changed at all. The NRL clubs in the area are up by 40% since the Giants entered the competition.

On the Gold Coast, neither the Suns nor the Titans crowds have changed since 2010-12.

TV ratings have not changed either with GWS games not rating any higher than games involving Victorian clubs. No figures available for GC.

Yeh but Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions attendance, membership and profile are bigger than ever.....matches each week in Qld + NSW keep AFL in the media more often. You can't look at clubs in isolation.

 

[speedpeck23]

You mean like how they have been already playing AFL games at those venues with no issues...

Because Hawthorn + North have other income streams. Obviously North is challenged at the moment but they have been in the competition for 100 years and ALL (including Coll, Carl, West Coast etc etc) existing AFL clubs are dependent on the income generated by the AFL through broadcast rights, sponsorships beyond individual club income thru membership, attendances.

If the AFL (ie. the 18 clubs) take on another club they want it to be able to reasonably support itself ...not just rely on the handout they will automatically get from AFL distributions.

So Tassie Devils, like it or not, have to bring something to the table.

 

[Philhawk]

you have spelt out the issue.....well at least the business issue.

The AFL introduced GWS and GC to take market share off NRL. They invested money to than get a return back.

They don't need to invest to get Tasmania to follow the AFL, they already do.

Yes but you’re missing a key point.

The Suns and Giants are money pits for the AFL - but money they’re happy to put in as essentially a marketing budget to cut through the noise in the northern states for hearts and minds.

Tasmania is already an AFL state. Does the AFL want it to become another money pit with no tangible benefit?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Can anyone tell me why the Devils can't just play at Bellerive & Launceston in their infancy years?

They can.

But a lot of people are missing the point.

It’s about making this club as successful as it can be.

Among all the excitement, people need to realise that this club will face enormous challenges.

Player retention will be a huge issue.

Financially, every other AFL club is located in a place where significant population growth will happen in the coming decades.

Not Tassie. They’re going into a small market that is going to get smaller (in proportion) in the coming decades.

This club has a huge change of becoming a minnow and a battler and a big drain on the league on and off the field. So they need to try to get everything right to give it a chance.

The stadium is one of them.

Bellerive is incredibly shit. It’s in a shocking location in the suburbs, very hard to get to and with absolutely nothing around it.

Compare that to a CBD stadium that is much easier to get to and can offer great options for pre and post game.

When the excitement dies down and this club needs to pull crowds each and every week, and attract interstate visitors to keep coming back, it makes a big difference.

Add in some rain and freezing weather, and the couch and TV becomes very attractive.

A new stadium in the best location gives the club a huge head start. And they need that. They need to make every single post a winner because strategically, a Tassie club makes little sense in the cold light of day. They have a lot of disadvantages and will desperately need the free kick of the new stadium.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

What

 

[threenewpadlocks]

They can.

But a lot of people are missing the point.

It’s about making this club as successful as it can be.

Among all the excitement, people need to realise that this club will face enormous challenges.

Player retention will be a huge issue.

Financially, every other AFL club is located in a place where significant population growth will happen in the coming decades.

Not Tassie. They’re going into a small market that is going to get smaller (in proportion) in the coming decades.

This club has a huge change of becoming a minnow and a battler and a big drain on the league on and off the field. So they need to try to get everything right to give it a chance.

The stadium is one of them.

Bellerive is incredibly shit. It’s in a shocking location in the suburbs, very hard to get to and with absolutely nothing around it.

Compare that to a CBD stadium that is much easier to get to and can offer great options for pre and post game.

When the excitement dies down and this club needs to pull crowds each and every week, and attract interstate visitors to keep coming back, it makes a big difference.

Add in some rain and freezing weather, and the couch and TV becomes very attractive.

A new stadium in the best location gives the club a huge head start. And they need that. They need to make every single post a winner because strategically, a Tassie club makes little sense in the cold light of day. They have a lot of disadvantages and will desperately need the free kick of the new stadium.

I can't believe how many people are not aware of the fact that the Tassie Government is spending $12 million per year just to make the team operable, above and beyond the fact that they can sell high priced tickets in a fancy new stadium, because all common sense modelling and projections has them of a several million dollar shortfall to be operable due to population numbers.

 

[madmug]

I think this is just another very poor strategic move by the ALP. They were going to ban poker machines, lost an election then backed down. Then they opposed the stadium, lost an election then flipped. The NC vote over the budget is just as ill-conceived. They have the Libs on the back foot over a number of issues BUT!!! People hate elections. Especially 15months after he last state one & our recent Federal one. Also most people don't even know Dean Winter. He's been ALP leader for just a few short months. If the ALP gave it 12 months, kept hammering the Government, then pulled the NC vote it would seem a much better political strategy.
I may be proven wrong, but I'd be very surprised if the ALP get anything but beaten up over this.
Both Majors back a stadium. We have no alternative budget to compare!!! So on what basis would they change their vote from last time, especially to someone they don't even know?????

 

[Jazny]

The no confidence motion was in Rockliff, not the Liberal party. They're choosing the election.

Any of the other Liberals could have taken over as leader and this would have ended yesterday.

None of the other liberal choices are popular. Unlikely Abetz would get cross bench support. Barnett was the guy responsible for the budget, I don't see how he gets support. But lets say one of them does manage to get cross bench support, how long until another no-confidence motion? Then Liberals have to go to an election with an unpopular leader. Rockliff is one of the more popular politicians in Tasmania by a long way I think.

 

[madmug]

I can't believe how many people are not aware of the fact that the Tassie Government is spending $12 million per year just to make the team operable, above and beyond the fact that they can sell high priced tickets in a fancy new stadium, because all common sense modelling and projections has them of a several million dollar shortfall to be operable due to population numbers.

The $12mil will be spent here, not of FIFO clubs.
The stadium/convention centre complex certainly had the Hobart city councils economic study showing a massive benefit to the city. The fact the Green controlled City Council rejected their own economic report tells us something.

 

[MisterMarcus]

I think this is just another very poor strategic move by the ALP. They were going to ban poker machines, lost an election then backed down. Then they opposed the stadium, lost an election then flipped. The NC vote over the budget is just as ill-conceived. They have the Libs on the back foot over a number of issues BUT!!! People hate elections. Especially 15months after he last state one & our recent Federal one. Also most people don't even know Dean Winter. He's been ALP leader for just a few short months. If the ALP gave it 12 months, kept hammering the Government, then pulled the NC vote it would seem a much better political strategy.
I may be proven wrong, but I'd be very surprised if the ALP get anything but beaten up over this.
Both Majors back a stadium. We have no alternative budget to compare!!! So on what basis would they change their vote from last time, especially to someone they don't even know?????

I agree Labor are playing with fire a bit with this, especially since they'll almost certainly need the support of the Greens and several left-leaning anti-stadium independents to form government.

It becomes easy for the Liberals and pro-stadium interests to paint Labor as the ones who are putting everything at risk.

 

[Walshawk]

Yeh but Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions attendance, membership and profile are bigger than ever.....matches each week in Qld + NSW keep AFL in the media more often. You can't look at clubs in isolation.

That growth would have happened anyway, it has grown at the same rate as other clubs around the country. GWS get virtually zero media attention, and GC same in Brisbane.

 

[boncer34]

The no confidence motion was in Rockliff, not the Liberal party. They're choosing the election.

Any of the other Liberals could have taken over as leader and this would have ended yesterday.

So the Labor party wouldn't have submitted a no confidence on a different side of the same coin?

 

[dmc333]

So the Labor party wouldn't have submitted a no confidence on a different side of the same coin?

You can only go by their language which has been along the lines of "rather than step down, Rockliff is going to call another election".