Tasmanian AFL High Performance Centre: Kingborough mayor says council has what rival Clarence doesn’t

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt has fired another broadside at her rival for the Tasmanian AFL team’s $70m High Performance Centre, saying Clarence councillors may not support a Rosny build to completion.

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt looks over Twin Ovals plans with Knights cricket club president Jeff Ross, Deputy Mayor Clare Glade-Wright and Michael McGregor, of the Tigers TSL team. Picture James Bresnehan

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt has fired another broadside at her rival for the Tasmanian AFL team’s $70m High Performance Centre, saying Clarence councillors may not support a Rosny build to completion.

The Kingborough Council released its plan on Wednesday for the expansion of the Twin Ovals to win the HPC using the existing No.1 and No. 2 ovals, with the administration and training facility in between.

Local sporting organisations – the Kingborough Knights cricket club and State League Tigers football club – would make use of two additional ovals developed in the expansion.

Ms Wriedt said Kingborough had a commodity lacking at Clarence – unanimous support.

The Tasmanian football club’s infrastructure committee must make a recommendation on a preferred site by Christmas for work to start in 2024 for completion in late 2025.

“I don’t see how in those time frames you could build that sort of infrastructure at Clarence but the big question mark is will their council continue to support it as they go through rezoning, given their vote was only 7–5 in favour,” Ms Wriedt said.

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt with an aerial view of an expanded Twin Ovals precinct to accommodate an AFL High Performance Centre. Picture James Bresnehan.jpg

Clarence City Mayor Brendan Blomeley commended his rival for batting hard for Kingborough, but said his council backed the state-of-the-art facility and the financial boost it would bring to its community.

“I can understand where she is coming from and why she’s doing what she’s doing, but I have a very clear approach and that is when others go low, we go high,” he said.

“We have put our best foot forward and it’s good to see Kingborough is doing that as well.”

Ms Wriedt said Clarence would have to jump through planning hoops to make it happen at Rosny.

“Clarence not only have the topography, which is a challenge, they have a lot of easements that are running over the areas they have identified,” she said.

Kingborough Council will expand its Twin Ovals precinct to four fields if it wins Tasmania's AFL High Performance Centre. Picture Kingborough Council

“We have an oval here AFL/AFLW teams could literally walk on to tomorrow, and then it’s about building the other associated infrastructure, so from a time perspective we believe we are ahead of Clarence and what they have got to offer.

“We don’t have to rezone and we already have the infrastructure here that the player could walk out onto in August–September 2025.”

Mr Blomeley said landscape would not be a significant issue.

“We have worked closely with the AFL and Department of State Growth since day one, and a significant amount of work has gone into where we are at,” he said.

“The final decision will rest with the state government.

“In terms of rezoning, let’s not forget this was a golf course and any issues will be dealt with in due course, and now as a parklands it is zoned for community use.”

Kingborough Council's vision for Tasmania's AFL High Performance Centre at the Twin Ovals. Picture Kingborough Council

“We have many advantages for the AFL team and the players, who will have one site where they can train on either oval and not have to walk across the road and up the hill to get to their second site.

“I don’t think elite players would be expecting that sort of facility being provided for them.”

Ms Wriedt fears the state government could be leaning toward Clarence.

“We are the logical choice because we have the infrastructure, a united council and can get it done on time and on budget far more easily here with widespread support,” she said.

“I would be very concerned if there was already a done deal with Clarence that we don’t already know about.

“I would only suggest to everyone involved with the new Tasmanian AFL club, to their board, and to their chair, come and have a look at what is here at the Kingston Twin Ovals if you haven’t seen it already.

“Having a look at what’s here versus looking at a disused golf course and a parkland full of trees makes it really a no-brainer.”

Kingborough v Clarence

Council funding – Kingborough $2m, Clarence unknown.

Level of support – Kingborough unanimous, Clarence split (voted 7/5 for).

Existing facilities – Kingborough 2 ovals, Clarence none.

Expansion potential – Kingborough high, Clarence low.

Locating facilities at same site – Kingborough high, Clarence split.

Planning process – Kingborough currently zoned, Clarence requires rezone.

Construction challenges – Kingborough low, Clarence difficult topography.

(Comparison supplied by Kingborough Council)

Originally published as Tasmanian AFL High Performance Centre: Kingborough mayor says council has what rival Clarence doesn’t