AFL High Performance Centre: Questions over future of development after Clarence elector poll

Questions are being asked about the future of a polarising proposal to build an AFL High Performance Centre at Rosny after local residents had their say about the development.

Labor sport spokesman Luke Edmunds. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Labor has questioned whether the state government actually intends to build an AFL High Performance Centre at the old Rosny Golf Course site, accusing the Liberals of shying away from the polarising development proposal.

But Sport Minister Nic Street has fired back, saying the Opposition lacks “credibility on anything to do with our AFL and AFLW teams”.

An elector poll of Clarence residents, which was held at a cost of about $200,000 to ratepayers following a petition by the Save Rosny’s Parks (SRP) group, showed that a slim majority (51 per cent) of people supported plans to construct the facilities entirely within the Rosny Parklands, where the golf course was once located.

Concept design of proposed AFL High Performance Centre at Rosny. Credit: Populous.

However, an overwhelming 65 per cent rejected the idea of it being built across both that site and Charles Hand Park.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley, a staunch backer of the project, says the results are proof that the community wants the High Performance Centre built at Rosny.

Brendan Blomeley mayor Clarence City Council, Dean Winter Labor leader, Luke Edmunds Labor member for Pembroke at the proposed site of the AFL High Performance Centre at the old Rosny Golf Course site. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

SRP wants the AFL and the state government, who are jointly funding the $70m project, to move the development to Kingborough, where the local council has proposed to house the facilities at its Twin Ovals complex.

Rosny, however, is the AFL’s preferred location for the High Performance Centre.

Janice Overett, a spokeswoman for SRP, labelled the elector poll a success and said it had vindicated the group’s position that more public consultation was needed.

“The result has underscored the strong desire of our community to preserve our public parks and highlights a shared commitment among residents to safeguard these vital green spaces for current and future generations,” she said.

Labor sport spokesman Luke Edmunds, a former Clarence councillor, said the “clock is ticking” for Premier Jeremy Rockliff, with a development application for the proposal due to be lodged with Clarence City Council by the end of this year and the facilities expected to be built by late 2025 under the deal negotiated with the AFL.

“Nic Street and Jeremy Rockliff have been MIA through this entire process and I’m not surprised they’re not talking now. It’s in their hands to deliver this one way or another and they should be upfront with the Tasmanian people,” he said.

Mr Edmunds said the government needed to quickly decide whether they would seek planning approval for the project in Clarence or Kingborough.

Proposed site of the AFL High Performance Centre at the old Rosny Golf Course site. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Street said the elector poll was “a matter for the Clarence City Council”.

“We will continue to work with the relevant authorities as we deliver this exciting project,” he said.

Cr Blomeley said he regretted not advocating “more strongly” for the High Performance Centre to be built entirely within the old golf course site, given the results of the elector poll and his personal belief about the best location for the development.

“Obviously that’s now what the community wants and that’s what I intend to see delivered,” he said.

“The majority of Clarence residents want to see the High Performance Centre developed here in Rosny. It’s time for everyone to respect the vote and to move forward positively for the benefit of our city.”