Tasmania’s capacity to attract major national and international business events is set for a significant expansion following the Tasmanian Legislative Council’s approval of the Macquarie Point Stadium project.
This decision paves the way for construction to commence in 2027, with the complex expected to be operational by 2029.
Plans feature a new purpose-built event facility capable of accommodating 1,700 delegates in a theatre-setting or 1,500 guests for gala dinners, with flexible partitioning into three separate spaces. Additionally, the historic 1914 Goods Shed will be repositioned alongside the stadium to serve as a versatile venue for exhibitions and unique off-site conference experiences.
Business Events Tasmania’s CEO Marnie Craig noted that expanding the capacity beyond the current 1,100 delegate limit will allow Tasmania to compete for larger conferences and industry gatherings previously beyond its reach.
The approval also signals a commitment to further statewide investment, including potential upgrades to UTAS Stadium in northern Tasmania, ensuring the state can offer capacity and choice for organisers, support simultaneous events, and rotate national conferences.
This development builds upon Tasmania’s established reputation for exceptional delegate experiences, noting that the current A$199 million annual contribution of events to the Tasmanian economy is expected to grow substantially upon the project’s completion.
