National RSL Supports its Tasmanian Branch Stadium Stand to Respect Veterans and War Dead

MEDIA RELEASE

Australia’s largest veteran organisation has strongly supported the stand of its State Branch on Hobart’s proposed Macquarie Point Stadium, saying the project must respect the sacrifice of Tasmania’s veterans and war dead.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the current proposed design for a roofed stadium would adversely impact on the sanctity and heritage of the Hobart Cenotaph.

RSL Tasmania has proposed a compromise, saying it would support a stadium provided the development does not interrupt the sight lines from the base of the Cenotaph to St George’s Anglican Church, Battery Point and the mouth of the River Derwent. This would likely require the stadium to be built without a roof.

RSL National President Peter Tinley said the Hobart Cenotaph was a sacred site for Defence veterans, their families and for all Tasmanians, and its heritage values, cultural and spiritual significance must be respected and protected for all time.

“It is the nation’s oldest State capital city war memorial, celebrating its centenary this year, and the current stadium design is not in line with the proper protection of the Cenotaph’s values,” Mr Tinley said.

“Our Tasmanian Branch and the national body are fully and strongly supportive of Tasmania having teams in the national AFL men’s and women’s competitions, and we support economic development in the State. But this cannot be at the expense of the sacred values of the Cenotaph.

“The Hobart Cenotaph, completed in 1925, is Tasmania’s premier war memorial and has been the site of commemoration services since 1916.

“We are aware that a roofed stadium was first suggested by the Tasmanian Government, and the AFL then wrote it into the deal for Tasmania’s entry to the national football competitions.

“However, the RSL has a strong relationship with the AFL, particularly around its Anzac Day commemorations at games around the country, and we’re sure the national football body would not want to do anything that was seen to disrespect our veteran community. We are writing to the AFL on behalf of our 150,000 members and the veteran community, raising our serious concerns.”

Mr Tinley said the Hobart Cenotaph is a prominent landmark commanding important and historic sightlines across Hobart and is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

“It was purposely sited to command key sightlines across the city and down the Derwent River where the troops departed for Gallipoli, and many of these would be destroyed and the Cenotaph dwarfed by the roofed stadium design.”

Peter Tinley said the heritage of the site dated back to Tasmania’s earliest colonial times. It was the location of the Queen’s Battery constructed in the early to mid-1800s for Hobart’s protection, and a first Anzac Day service was held there in 1916, just one year after the Gallipoli landings.

“Undoubtedly, it is of great heritage significance, honouring the service and sacrifice of Tasmanians in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world for more than a century.

“As custodians of this sacred site, RSL Tasmania, supported by the League nationally, cannot stand by and allow the Hobart Cenotaph to be impacted in this way.

“We encourage the Tasmanian Parliament and the AFL to adopt a sensible compromise and develop a lower height stadium that still provides for Tasmania’s AFL entry but protects the values of the State’s sacred monument to our war veterans and service personnel,” he said.

ENDS

National Media contact: Tony Harrison: media@rsl.org.au