A new stadium at Cornelian Bay could be home for a Tasmanian A-League team: study
A Tasmanian A-League team could play its home games in a purpose-built stadium at Hobart's Cornelian Bay, a study has found.
The ABC understands the pre-feasibility study explored the viability of a new 15,000-capacity stadium to house "FC Tasmania" in the national league.
Originally, a site on the Hobart Domain was seen as the preferred location, but the report identified Cornelian Bay as the frontrunner.
It is understood the Government-commissioned report examined 12 potential sites, of which at least six were deemed inappropriate.
The consortium behind Tasmania's A-League bid, led by Melbourne property mogul Harry Stamoulis and car park king Robert Belteky, had estimated a stadium would cost about $70 million to build, but the report outlined three options ranging from $140 million to $165 million.
The 10-team A-League is looking to expand by two from the 2019-20 season and the "FC Tasmania" bid is up against 15 others for a place on the shortlist.
Victorian outfit "Team 11" is one of the frontrunners, while strong bids have been received from groups representing south-west Sydney, Canberra and Fremantle.
A shortlist of four to six bids is expected to be announced this week with the successful two due to be unveiled in October.
Federal Member for Denison Andrew Wilkie, who is lobbying for federal money to support the Tasmanian bid, said Premier Will Hodgman should commit to partially funding a new stadium if Tasmania was short-listed.
"If we make the shortlist, the next critical step will be the State Government coming out and committing to co-fund a purpose-built stadium," he said.
"That alone could swing FFA's [Football Federation Australia's] decision.
"He clearly needs to put that on the record — it's not good enough to simply support a team entering the A-League."
Which comes first: stadium or A-League entry?
The State Government would probably need an assurance that Hobart would host FIFA Women's World Cup matches in 2023, if Australia won hosting rights, in order to provide significant funding for a new stadium.
The host nation for that tournament will be announced in Switzerland next year.
A chicken-and-egg scenario is formulating, with any stadium build seemingly reliant on FFA granting Tasmania an A-League licence.
However, FFA would need the guarantee of a rectangular stadium being built before accepting a Tasmanian bid.
South Hobart Football Club president Victoria Morton, who is acting as the local spokesperson for the owners, said the team behind the FC Tasmania bid was confident.
"We feel very confident," she said.
"We feel the expression of interest we placed with FFA and Deloittes was very positive, and we ticked all the boxes that need to be ticked.
"Let's hope they look favourably on what Tasmania can offer."
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