The Tasmanian Planning Commission’s report into the Macquarie Point stadium could restart a showdown between factions that would rip Tasmania apart.

With a focus mainly on cost and location, the report, released on Wednesday, advised against building the stadium, in no uncertain terms.

An artist’s impression of the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.

The AFL has made a roofed stadium a condition of entry to the league for the Tasmania Devils, long a point of contention between pro- and anti-stadium factions. Now, this report threatens to reignite the debate; like pulp mill or salmon protests in the past, the rift could cause real harm to social cohesion in the state.

But this is bigger than just construction of a venue.

Rather than taking a binary approach to the stadium that would only lead to a stalemate (and, despite the goodwill towards Tasmania, test the other 18 AFL clubs’ patience), Tasmanians should use this opportunity to see how they can maximise the benefits of the stadium precinct, as well as the economic benefits of the club........

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