Visualisations released by the Tasmanian government for the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point are unlikely to be enough, alone, to convince the state's RSL to give the project their blessing, according to its chief executive.
The images of the proposed 23,000-seat stadium — released on the State Growth website — have been produced to provide more information about the potential impact on views to and from the Hobart Cenotaph.
They are not final designs, with the Department of State Growth reiterating in a note on the documents that "the official design process for the stadium has not commenced".
According to the visualisations — created by Liminal Architecture — at the roof's peak, the stadium could reach a height of 40 metres, with an assumed size of 240m in length and 210m in width, not including a concourse around the stadium.
This height would put the stadium at half the height of the Wrest Point Hotel Casino, Hobart's tallest building.
"Based on comparison to a city office building, the floor levels would be around eight levels at the sides and around 10.5 levels at the roof pitch", the State Growth statement reads.
"The final, specific location of the stadium on the site and exact shape and height … will not be determined until the official design process is undertaken.
"The stadium views analysis work indicates that important views, to and from the Cenotaph, will not be impacted — such as to and from Macquarie Street — which is associated with the Anzac Day march as well as the rising sun in the east and the setting sun in the west, which will not be directly in line with the stadium and, therefore, will not result in shading of the Cenotaph."
In a statement, Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing Guy Barnett said: "these are concept images only showing indicative footprint and sight lines, not how it will look".
RSL Tasmania has previously expressed its lack of support for the stadium to be built on the waterfront site, due to the potential impact on the Cenotaph.
Chief executive John Hardy said the RSL had received the artist impressions earlier in the week, which will then be provided to sub-branches and discussed at an upcoming state congress, where the government has been invited to outline more detail on the stadium plans.
A vote will be held at the end of the congress to determine whether or not RSL Tasmania's stance on the stadium has changed.
Mr Hardy said that, while the organisation welcomed the additional information, more detail was still needed.
"OK, we now have a height, which is 40m … We know roughly the width and the length … but we still don't know exactly where the building is going to be," he said.
"That will affect the Cenotaph, because we don't know how close it will be.
"We want a lot more granular detail."
He said the RSL had every intention to continue working with the government throughout the process, but that it was vital the consultation showed real impacts, such as a willingness to amend plans.
"Obviously, we are pleased the government is producing this, but we also expect … to be able to have an impact on what they are actually going to do," Mr Hardy said.
"[We] look forward to full, meaningful consultation."
In a statement, a government spokesperson said the state would "continue to work with all Mac Point stakeholders as the project progresses".
"It's vital this is a team effort, to ensure we make this iconic precinct the very best it can be."
