A new HIA report cautions that Tasmania’s construction workforce is already operating close to full capacity, with little spare labour available to absorb a major, multi year infrastructure project without placing pressure on housing supply, costs and delivery timelines.
 
HIA Tasmania Executive Director Benjamin Price said the report shows the stadium would rely on the same trades currently building homes across the state.
 
“There isn’t an idle workforce waiting on the sidelines,” Mr Price said.
 
“The carpenters, electricians, plumbers and concreters needed for the stadium are the same people building Tasmania’s homes.”
 
The Macquarie Point Stadium is expected to take more than three years to build, with a peak onsite workforce of around 450 people. HIA warns that introducing a project of this scale into an already tight labour market risks drawing workers away from residential construction, pushing up costs and slowing housing delivery.
 
“In a constrained market, even small shifts in demand can have an outsized impact on prices,” Mr Price said. “If housing slows, Tasmanians feel it through higher rents, reduced affordability and fewer options for first home buyers.” Mr Price stressed the report does not argue against the stadium, or other major projects.

“This is not a stadium versus housing debate. Tasmania deserves both,” he said.
 
“But delivering both successfully depends on growing workforce capacity, not just reallocating workers from one project to another.”
 
The report calls for a coordinated workforce strategy focused on expanding apprenticeships, attracting trades, carefully sequencing major projects, and reducing regulatory and planning delays that limit productivity.
 
“Housing must be treated as essential economic infrastructure,” Mr Price said.

“With the right workforce planning, Tasmania can avoid cost blowouts, protect housing supply and give industry the certainty needed to invest in skills and apprentices.”

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