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Australia’s Stadium Boom Effect

  • Writer: Larissa Thurley
    Larissa Thurley
  • Dec 3
  • 3 min read
What Every City Gained and What Tasmania Is About to Decide


This week marks one of the most consequential moments in Tasmania’s modern economic story.On 3–4 December, the Legislative Council will vote on whether the Macquarie Point Stadium proceeds — the final hurdle after the Lower House approved the Project of State Significance Order 25–9 on 13 November.


As The Age recently reported “Fifteen people, one vote: the future of the Tasmania Devils is on the line this week,” this vote determines whether Tasmania secures its first AFL and AFLW teams: the Tasmania Devils.


Nathan Buckley - Potential Coach for New AFL Team, Tasmania Devils
Nathan Buckley - Potential Coach for New AFL Team, Tasmania Devils

Adding further momentum, AFL legend Nathan Buckley has publicly expressed interest in coaching the new team, placing national attention on a project that could reshape the state’s economy and property market for decades.


At Bridge Projects Group, we monitor how infrastructure drives property markets. Across Australia, major stadiums consistently become economic engines, not just sporting venues. Below is a timeline of the country’s major stadium builds — followed by what the Macquarie Point decision means for Tasmania.


Australia’s Major Stadium Builds — and What They Did for Their Cities

2000 — Sydney Olympic Stadium (Accor Stadium, Homebush)

Spend: $690 million


Impact:

  • Transformed industrial land into Sydney Olympic Park

  • Supports 30,000+ ongoing jobs

  • Hosts 400+ major events per year

  • Generated more than $6 billion in long-term activity




2014 — Adelaide Oval Redevelopment

Spend: $535 million


Impact:

  • Adds $200+ million per year to SA’s economy

  • Revitalised the CBD

  • Drove hospitality, tourism and hotel demand




2018 — Perth Optus Stadium

Spend: $1.6 billion


Impact:

  • Generates approx $421 million per year

  • Recorded 1.4 million visitors within first 18 months

  • Triggered Burswood Peninsula transformation

  • Drove major uplift in tourism, jobs and local property demand




2024 — Marvel Stadium Upgrade (Melbourne)

Spend: $225 million


Impact:

  • Anchors Melbourne’s $2.5 billion+ events economy

  • Supports 5,000+ jobs

  • Strengthens Docklands’ ongoing urban revitalisation




2030 (Planned) — Brisbane Victoria Park Olympic Stadium

Purpose: 2032 Olympic Games


Impact:

  • Part of $7+ billion in Olympics infrastructure

  • Expected 90,000+ jobs statewide

  • Forecast $4.6 billion tourism uplift post-Games

  • Will open 45 hectares of regenerated green space


Now Tasmania Faces Its Stadium Moment

The proposed $1.13 billion Macquarie Point Arts, Entertainment & Sporting Precinct is the most significant economic catalyst Tasmania has seen in decades. The figures that matter — sourced directly from the Tasmanian Government Strategic Business Case Summary — are powerful indicators of what this project will deliver.

The Strategic Business Case highlights the following impacts, signalling a multi-year growth cycle for Tasmania’s economy and property market:

Massive Infrastructure Investment

  • Supports 4,200 construction jobs

  • Adds $300 million to the economy during the build

  • Early indicators of increased rental demand from project workforce

Long-Term Economic Engine

  • $2.2 billion in economic activity over 25 years

  • 950 permanent jobs once operational

  • Flow-on activity across tourism, hospitality, events, arts, and transport sectors

Tourism & Accommodation Boom

  • 104,000 interstate + international visitors annually

  • 184,000 intrastate visitors

  • 350,000 bed nights per year

  • Strong uplift expected for rentals, hotels, and short-stay accommodation

AFL Team Catalyst

  • Stadium is non-negotiable for securing the Tasmania Devils AFL & AFLW teams

  • Team forecast to generate $120 million per year

  • Each home game expected to attract thousands of interstate visitors

Urban Renewal & Transport Activation

  • Unlocks new ferry services, cycling paths, pedestrian networks and public transport upgrades

  • Creates a modern, activated waterfront precinct

  • Mirrors early-stage gentrification seen in Perth’s Burswood and Adelaide Oval’s CBD uplift



Bridge Projects Group – Final Insight

Across Australia, stadium precincts have consistently lifted surrounding markets through stronger rental demand, tourism activity, and long-term economic confidence. Tasmania is now positioned at the beginning of that same infrastructure-led cycle, with Macquarie Point shaping as the catalyst for the state’s next decade.


Bridge Projects Group is a research-driven property advisory and project marketing firm, known for identifying high-quality investment opportunities through deep market analysis and national infrastructure tracking. We are also the official project marketing partner for TasVest, supporting the delivery of new housing supply across Tasmania.


If you’re an agent or property professional seeking access to quality Tasmanian stock or wanting to join our national distribution network, you’re welcome to reach out for onboarding. Simply head to Bridge Project Group and fill out the form to get started here

 
 
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