An ambitious bid to construct a mega sporting, entertainment and housing precinct in Hobart's northern suburbs has been pitched to members of the Tasmanian parliament, but is highly unlikely to get off the ground as the state government progresses stadium plans at Macquarie Point.
The ABC understands Melbourne property developer David Marriner has spearheaded a push for a massive sports and entertainment development on the site of the Elwick racecourse in Glenorchy.
Labor and the Greens as well as members of the crossbench have all been briefed on the proposal which would include a suburban AFL stadium and broader precinct including facilities for cricket, soccer, indoor sports, an aquatic centre, as well as restaurants and hospitality.
The jewel in the crown of the proposal was a large social housing development on commonwealth land at neighbouring Dowsing Point, which is currently home to an army barracks.
But the government has already spiked the proposal, telling the ABC it was not entertaining any "alternate stadium proposals".
"The Tasmanian government is getting on with the job to deliver the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project. Funding has been allocated and the formal planning process is underway" a spokesperson said.
"The government has not participated in any formal briefing or presentation in relation to this concept."
Politicians intrigued by proposal
Greens MP Vica Bayley confirmed his party had been briefed by the proponents.
He told the ABC that while the Greens did not support taxpayer funds being spent on any new stadium, the Elwick and Dowsing Point site "has a lot of potential for further work, including for housing and for the government's previously promised community sport facility".
He said the briefing also included "a summary of new technology they [the proponents] are considering bringing to Tasmania to develop affordable housing".
Labor did not confirm it had met with the proponents, but said it was "open-minded to any development that supports the creation of much-needed secure jobs for local workers".
Independent MP David O'Byrne has also met with the proponents.
Representatives from the department of defence have also been approached by the developers, whose major housing development pitch centred on the site currently occupied by the Derwent army barracks.
The site in question however is commonwealth land, which can only be sold or developed if considered surplus to the relative agency's needs.
The overall cost and financing structure of the development is unclear, but it's likely a development of the scale proposed would be upwards of $1 billion.
It's understood the deal hinged on the state government diverting $240 million of federal funding slated for housing and wharf upgrades at the Macquarie Point development to the new site. The deal would be a pivot from current plans to build an inner-city stadium to building one in the northern suburbs.
However, a nail in the plan came last week when the funding agreement for the Macquarie Point upgrades was formally signed by acting sports minister Nick Duigan and federal infrastructure minister Catherine King.
The AFL is unwilling to budge on the terms of its license agreement with the state government, which stipulates a stadium be built at Macquarie Point.
TasRacing baulks at Elwick relocation
The highly ambitious Glenorchy plan would have included a relocation or reconfiguration of the Elwick racetrack, proving a deal-breaker for key stakeholders.
TasRacing, which operates the Elwick racecourse confirmed to the ABC it had a "very preliminary meeting" with a prospective developer to "discuss the future of the Elwick racecourse and development opportunities" but it's understood it swiftly baulked at the proposal and suggestion of relocating or modifying the racetrack to accommodate the plans.
The Tasmanian racing and pacing clubs also have no appetite to relocate from the 150-year-old course, which sits on 40 hectares of land.
Major development at Elwick would have also presented challenges, as the entire racecourse site is permanently listed on the state's heritage register.
Developer behind national park tourism venture
Developer David Marriner is best known for purchasing and revitalising several Melbourne theatres in the 1990s. His company, Marriner Group, remains the nation's largest private theatre owner and operator.
He also partnered with Kerry Packer to establish ticketing service Ticketek in the mid-90s.
Mr Marriner has strong links to Tasmania and been involved in several previous development attempts, including a proposal to fund an upgrade of Bellerive Oval in anticipation of the state receiving an AFL license in 1995.
In 2001, the Labor government granted Marriner approval through his company Stage Designs Pty Ltd to construct a tourist retreat at Planter Beach in the Southwest national park, which attracted controversy.
It's the second privately backed stadium proposal to emerge since Tasmania secured the 19th license to participate in the AFL.
The first was the so-called "Stadium 2.0" proposal at Regatta Point in Hobart, which would have seen a roofed stadium constructed on fill on the River Derwent, as well as a broader development including a private hospital and convention centre at an overall cost of $2.4 billion.
That proposal was spearheaded by engineer Dean Coleman and former Labor premier Paul Lennon – and Mr. Lennon has links to the new Elwick proposal as well with The Marriner Group listed as a client of Mr Lennons lobbying firm, Paramul.
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