Stadiums Tasmania

Why establish Stadiums Tasmania?

Stadiums Tasmania has been established to better coordinate the management and future development of Tasmania’s major public stadiums and related assets.

It will help to facilitate and enhance Tasmania’s ability to engage with major national and international sporting competitions, entertainment, and events, and better plan and target future capital investment for stadium assets.

It will also continue to provide access to local organisations, while helping to generate employment and grow local economies and the wider visitor economy.

Stadiums Tasmania brings together the right mix of expertise and resources for each stadium to operate effectively and efficiently, position them to continue to develop and meet the future needs of the various communities, sporting codes and audiences.

What is the plan and timeframe?

The Board of Stadiums Tasmania has held five meetings since the appointment of its Chair and five members in December 2022.

Its current focus is to confirm how each of the initial stadiums proposed to transfer will operate and determine what needs to be agreed with each of the stadium owners to facilitate the transfer process, commencing with UTAS Stadium and the Silverdome.

The stadiums will continue to be managed and operated by their current owners on a business-as-usual basis, until they transfer on a mutually agreed transfer date. If you have a question about a specific stadium, please continue to liaise with your usual contact person at the stadium that you are involved.

When will a Chief Executive Officer be appointed? 

The search for an experienced Chief Executive Officer who will deliver maximum community and economic benefits from Tasmania’s major stadiums has commenced. More information is available in the most recent Project Update.

Which stadiums are expected to transfer?

MyState Bank Arena (MSBA) in Hobart and the Silverdome in Launceston are both owned by the Tasmanian Government and will transfer to Stadiums Tasmania.

UTAS Stadium, Blundstone Arena and Dial Park may also be transferred, subject to negotiation.

The transfers are expected to commence in 2024.

Will the needs of local groups still be met?

The Act recognises the role Stadiums Tasmania and the stadiums it operates will continue to have in hosting state and local competitions, events, and organisations. The functions in the Act specify that Stadiums Tasmania is to:

• host statewide, regional and local content;
• proactively communicate and engage with stadium users; and
• facilitate Tasmania’s engagement in statewide and local competitions.

What about vendors, tenants, and contractors?

Wherever possible, existing leases, licences, vendors, tenants, and contractors that currently service or operate from each of the affected stadiums will transfer to Stadiums Tasmania with each stadium, preserving the current arrangements.

This aims to ensure the stadium’s smooth transition and will maintain the status quo. Before the transfers can occur, entities directly affected will be contacted and the transition process will be able to be explored with each of them.

Will Stadiums Tasmania’s be responsible for stadium upgrades and the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium?

As the ultimate owner of Tasmania’s major stadiums, the Authority will have representatives on the Steering Committees responsible for the $130 million upgrades to UTAS Stadiums, $25 million upgrades to Dial Park and the proposed $715 million stadium at Macquarie Point.

Why have a skills-based Board?

The Tasmanian Government recognises the management of major public stadiums is a highly specialised function and quite distinct from the traditional roles that have historically been fulfilled by government agencies.

The skills-based Stadiums Tasmania Board comprises members with specific essential qualifications, experience and expertise to position Stadiums Tasmania to be soundly governed and make informed decisions that best support its functions, powers, and obligations.

Key bodies and local government will continue to play an important role in supporting Stadiums Tasmania to identify opportunities to provide content that responds to the needs of the local, regional, and wider community.

Why have five to seven Board members?

The provisions in the Act that govern the Board’s size give the the ability to appoint between five and seven members. This will enable the size of the Board to be adjusted and reflect its strategic needs, required skillset and complexity of operations.

Where do I find a copy of the Act?

View - Tasmanian Legislation Online

Contact us

If you would like further information, please email us at admin@stadiumstasmania.org