Hobart City Council ’bizarre’ to rule out Cornelian Bay, Jeremy Rockliff says
The Hobart City Council ruled out two sites for an AFL high performance centre, but its loss could be the gain of Glenorchy or Kingborough. Latest.
Tasmania
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Premier Jeremy Rockliff says it’s “bizarre” the Hobart City Council would pre-emptively rule out two of its public spaces for an AFL high performance facility, meanwhile the mayor says the state government needs to be more open if public spaces are being considered.
The government is investigating possible locations for its AFL training and administration facility, which is needed for a Tasmanian team.
On Monday the Hobart City Council voted to strongly recommend Cornelian Bay and the Queens Domain were unsuitable, amid concerns members of the public could lose access to public space.
“It’s great to be in a municipality (Glenorchy) that embraces opportunity rather than rejects opportunity when they haven’t even seen the detail of what they’re rejecting yet, which is frankly bizarre,” Mr Rockliff said.
“This is a huge opportunity for whatever community the high performance centre ends up in.”
Mr Rockliff said the facility would be open to the public.
“It will support of course high performance activities of an AFL team but also be there for the community to utilise as well,” he said.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the state government needed to be open and transparent about its process.
“Governments should never forget that public land and parks are precious places and they’re owned by the people,” Ms Reynolds said.
“We’ve suggested it should be undertaken collectively with all Greater Hobart councils sitting around the table. That’s the best way forward and we’re calling on the state government to do that.
“I think it’s time for the state government to put all of the documents and information into the public arena. If public land is needed for this facility it needs to be a public conversation.”
Other mayors say they’re open to the facility being located in their municipality.
“We welcome discussions of high performance sporting facilities here in the city of Glenorchy and know the benefits that could come to our community from having high performance sporting facilities in our community,” Glenorchy mayor Bec Thomas said.
“We are home to the JackJumpers at the MyState Bank Arena and we see the benefits that it brings to our community.
“We haven’t done an analysis of any sites of yet, nor have we had any formal discussions with government of what the opportunities might be, but we are open to those discussions.”
In Kingborough, mayor Paula Wriedt also eyed off the possibility.
“I think Kingborough would welcome it with open arms,” Ms Wriedt said.
“We think it makes sense, we have a very open mind … We already have a magnificent facility at Twin Ovals, we’ve already got the JackJumpers training in Kingborough.
“We’d certainly be open to conversations, provided we don’t have any of our local clubs displaced.”
Cornelian Bay not suitable for AFL high performance centre: Council
August 28, 7:30pm
The Hobart City Council will resist the use of Cornelian Bay or the Queens Domain for a high-performance centre for Tasmania’s AFL team, if the state government identifies it as its preferred location for the facility.
As part of the government’s funding and development agreement with the AFL to establish a team in Tasmania, it requires a training and administration facility to be built and is currently investigating possible locations.
The Mercury reported in July locations believed to be likely for consideration included the Domain, Cornelian Bay, University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus, Lower Queenborough Oval and the Twin Ovals in Kingston.
Since then, some councillors have received emails from members of the public, concerned about the AFL using Cornelian Bay.
Sites have not yet officially been short-listed.
On Monday the council voted to work with the state government to explore potential sites for the facility, but it voted to strongly recommend Cornelian Bay and the Queens Domain are unsuitable, an amendment suggested by councillor Ben Lohberger.
Mr Lohberger said many were concerned about losing access to the public spaces.
“I don’t believe Cornelian Bay or the Queens Domain are suitable areas for this proposal mainly due to the strong community use of those areas and the lack of any alternative areas for people who already use these areas if they’re displaced by the AFL training centre,” Mr Lohberger said.
“I think it’s wise to get in early about these areas and to say quite clearly to the government and the AFL task force these areas are not for sale, they are not up for grabs, they are already used.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the AFL should purchase land for its facility.
“Let’s not forget Cornelian Bay and the Domain are public parklands, and this proposal will transfer wherever it goes into the main ownership and management to the AFL, which is one of the wealthiest codes in the country,” Ms Reynolds said.
“I personally think they should purchase a piece of land for their high performance centre, rather than drawing on public parkland and public open space.
“My understanding of all of the facilities that do exist on the mainland is community access is very limited. Even for our own elite sporting facilities, we do limit community access.”
Councillor Ryan Posselt said there were parts of the Cornelian Bay which weren’t used often.
“We don’t know what the state government want and Cornelian Bay is a much larger site than many people realise,” Mr Posselt said.
“I just think we’re a little premature here.”
Ald Simon Behrakis also believed the council could be acting prematurely.
“I think us pre-empting and trying to effectively dictate terms to the state government, I don’t think we’ll end up getting the result we want,” Mr Behrakis said.
“I’d rather us make it clear we want to protect these aspects of Cornelian Bay or Queens Domain.
“We know so little, these are just early stages of what will be a long process.”
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