Historic shed on planned stadium site heritage listed

A historic shed on the site of plans for a stadium on Hobart waterfront has been heritage listed and could pose planning curveballs for the contentious project. 

The Tasmanian Heritage Council considers the 115m-long Hobart Railway Goods Shed at Macquarie Point a "notable example" of rail transport since World War I. 

The council has permanently listed the shed on the heritage register, saying it has state-level historic cultural significance.

Tasmania's entry to the AFL, slated for 2028, is contingent on the construction of a 23,000-seat stadium at Macquarie Point, estimated to cost $715 million.

Heritage council chair Brett Torossi said the body would continue to work with Macquarie Point stakeholders as rehabilitation of the site progresses. 

"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 stadium project faces independent assessment by the state's planning commission and must also be voted through parliament. 

The Greens said the heritage listing was another issue for the project, on top of its close proximity to the Hobart cenotaph and likely cost overruns. 

"The fact we’ve got this beautiful heritage-listed building smack bang at centre-half forward on the field … is just another reason why the planning commission should reject the (project)," former Greens leader and upper house candidate Cassy O'Connor told reporters. 

"Parliament should reject it and the premier should walk away." 

Liberal government minister Felix Ellis brushed off suggestions the heritage listing was a spanner in the works. 

"We're committed to building the stadium at Macquarie Point. It's an exciting development," he said. 

"The independent planning process is underway. Heritage matters are considered as a part of that." 

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation said the shed's management would be considered as part of the assessment process. 

"The Goods Shed’s status and management will be considered as part of our application through the Project of State Significance process," a corporation statement said.

"The Tasmanian Planning Commission included the consideration of heritage as part of the guidelines for the assessment process."

AFL STADIUM HOBART
Tasmania's entry to the AFL is contingent on the construction of a $715m stadium at Macquarie Point.

Newly appointed Labor leader Dean Winter said he believed it remained unclear if the stadium is viable. 

Labor campaigned at the March state election to renegotiate the stadium portion of the AFL deal, while the Greens are opposed to the project. 

Members of the crossbench, which includes three independents and three Jacqui Lambie Network MPs, have mixed views. 

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