Development application lodged with council for the Devonport Sport Precinct

A major $60m sports precinct must pass one more hurdle before construction begins. See the pictures.

3D renders of what the Devonport Sports Precinct could look like. Picture: Supplied.

A major $60m project is edging closer to reality after its proponents lodged a development application with the Devonport City Council.

The Devonport Sports Precinct will be built near the Bluff in the city’s northern end.

The precinct will feature a multipurpose indoor stadium and outdoor sporting and training facilities for cricket, basketball and netball at the Devonport Oval site.

On the other side of town, Valley Road, home of the Devonport Strikers soccer club, will also receive upgrades.

3D renders of what the Devonport Sports Precinct could look like. Picture: Supplied.

The state and federal governments are expected to contribute $25m each to the project, while the Devonport City Council will fund the rest.

The council’s General Manager, Matthew Atkins, wrote a letter supporting the project in the development application.

“The project represents the centrepiece of the Devonport City Council’s endorsed Priority Investment Plan for sporting infrastructure within the City of Devonport and is the culmination of a shared vision between the council, associated sports clubs and the community in providing for the future of community sports and events for generations to come,” Mr Atkins said.

“The project further recognises and promotes Devonport as a leading Tasmanian city and the major population centre in the north-west region of the state.”

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff at the budget estimates in parliament on Monday 23rd September 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson

The state government has already delivered the first instalment of its $25m pledge to the sports precinct.

“Our government is so proud to be working with the Devonport City Council to deliver this very exciting project,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“Our Government wants to get as many Tasmanians active as possible because we know that physical activity is vital for healthy communities.

“This project has the support of seven sporting codes because it has the power to increase participation across generations, supporting more Tasmanians to get involved in the sport that best suits them.”

The Devonport Sports Precinct is part of the council’s Living City plan and investment.

“We are really starting to see the benefits from the council’s bold Living City vision and

this further investment will see the momentum in our city continue with many hundreds

of jobs to be created both during construction and also ongoing with the new

opportunities these facilities will create, in both the sporting and major events areas,”

Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman said.

The Devonport City Council will decide at a future meeting whether to approve the development application for the sports precinct.