As Chair of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business, I strongly support the development of the Macquarie Point Stadium. Tasmania’s economy in the past has been transformed by bold, future-focused projects, and this stadium will be the next one.
We’ve seen it before. Wrest Point, in its time, reshaped Hobart’s tourism and hospitality sector, attracting visitors, investment, and national attention. Decades later, MONA did it again revitalising our cultural identity, generating global interest, and driving economic activity that many small businesses now depend on.
The Macquarie Point Stadium represents a similar opportunity: a once-in-a-generation economic driver capable of reshaping Hobart’s CBD and energising the broader Tasmanian economy.
A modern, multi-purpose venue of this scale isn’t just a sports arena. it’s an engine for events, concerts, festivals, conferences, and community gatherings. It brings people into the city, supports accommodation providers, fills restaurants and bars, and creates new demand for retail and services.
For small businesses, foot traffic is life. Major events generate exactly that. And unlike a one-off investment, a stadium continues to produce economic activity for decades.
Of course, it must be supported with smart planning: transport links, parking solutions, and genuine engagement with surrounding businesses. But when executed well, the benefits will ripple far beyond the precinct itself.
Tasmania has repeatedly proven that ambitious projects can redefine our future. Wrest Point did it. MONA did it. And now, Macquarie Point Stadium can do the same strengthening our economy, boosting our brand, and giving local businesses the vibrant, thriving city centre they need to grow.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business