Base Tasmanian Devils teams in Launceston during Macquarie Point stadium construction: Bass MP

Should the Tasmania Devils be based up north during the construction of the stadium? One MP thinks so. Here are her reasons.

Matthew Richardson poses with The Tasmania Devils inaugural jumper during the Tasmania Football Club Launch (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Tasmania Devils should play out of Launceston while Hobart’s stadium is under construction, independent member for Bass Rebekah Pentland has told parliament.

The former Jacqui Lambie Network representative said while northern Tasmanian residents were generally supportive of the $130m redevelopment of UTAS Stadium, there were ongoing community concerns about which events the ground would host.

The Devils are scheduled to join the national AFL competition in 2028, with their Macquarie Point facility expected to be completed in time for the following season.  

Ms Pentland said the 12-month gap provided the perfect opportunity for football supporters living in Tasmania’s second-largest city.

“Every match at UTAS this year attracted more than 11,000 people, which shows it is a more popular venue than Blundstone Arena when it comes to watching football, and fans deserve their fair share of content,” Ms Pentland said.

Member for Bass, Rebekah Pentland at Parliament Lawns, Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

“I strongly believe that if the Devils run out before a new stadium is built [in Hobart], the lion’s share of home games should be played in Launceston.

“Launceston fans should be rewarded for their passion and dedication.

“UTAS is arguably the best boutique ground in the country, and doesn’t deserve to take a back seat when it comes to football in Tasmania.”

Ms Pentland said last week’s state budget had cast further doubt over whether Tasmania could afford a new Hobart stadium, expressing concerns that the project’s cost would continue to rise.

The independent said she had first expressed her reservations about the stadium when she was elected earlier this year, and asked what public-private arrangements the government would use to help fund the major project.

“A Tasmanian team in the AFL is well deserved and overdue, but a new stadium is a different proposition altogether,” Ms Pentland said.

“It’s an unreasonable ask of a state in a fragile budget position.

“I will follow the process closely, but I am far from convinced.”

Originally published as Base Tasmanian Devils teams in Launceston during Macquarie Point stadium construction: Bass MP