The budget for the new Tasmania Devils’ training centre has already blown out by a massive 75%, the Tasmanian government admitted today.

The original state government contribution to this project was projected at $60 million, however the Minister for Sports Nick Duigan has announced a budget allocation of $105 million for the 2025-26 financial year.

The so-called ‘High Performance Centre’ will be based at Kingston’s Twin Ovals. As yet a development application has not been submitted, with progress so far limited to site selection, development of concept plans and ‘significant design work’.

Despite the blowout and lack of progress, the government claims the project is on track to achieve practical completion by 31 October 2027 as required under the AFL Agreement.

“This facility will be the home of the Tasmanian AFL team and is critical for our entry into the AFL,” said Duigan.

“The kids that are here today are so excited for the future and the prospect that they can represent their home state on the national stage, while having their own team of players to aspire to be.”

“It will provide a home to dozens of local sporting organisations and social clubs who will get to host games, events and meetings in state-of-the-art facilities for decades to come; bringing the community together.”

It is not clear what access the organisations and clubs referred to will actually have to the facilities being constructed.

The Labor Opposition claim that according to the AFL deal signed by Jeremy Rockliff, the training facility was meant to be ready by the end of this year and is now going to be at least two years late.

Stadium Opposition Continues to Build

Opposition to the controversial stadium proposal for Macquarie Point continues to grow, with a rally in Devonport yesterday followed by a similarly vocal public meeting in Rosny today.

Craig Garland, independent MHA for Braddon, told the north-western event that information revealed in recent weeks, along with the actions of the state government, had only strengthened his resolve to campaign against the stadium.

“I will continue to put the community first and am pleased to stand alongside another community group that wants the government to listen to the commonsense alternatives,” he said.

“The AFL football ground at York Park, currently referred to as UTAS Stadium, has huge natural advantages and potential for further upgrades with far less conflict than the new stadium proposed for Macquarie Point.”

Community members on the eastern shore of the Derwent were similarly keen to voice their opposition to a costly stadium they don’t want.

“Pembroke residents are outraged the Liberals have broken their promise to cap public spending on the stadium at $375 million,” said Dr Rosalie Woodruff, Tasmanian Greens Leader.

“The Liberals’ stadium would cost well over a billion-dollars – money from taxpayers that people continue to tell us should be spent on housing and health services.”

Woodruff said attendees were especially incensed the Liberals, supported by Labor, will bypass the independent planning process and try and push a stadium approval through Parliament with special legislation.

“Overwhelmingly, people want their members of Parliament to vote against this corrupted process. They demand the Premier renegotiate his bad deal with the AFL, so the teams Tasmanians deserve are no longer tied to a dodgy stadium.”

Submissions to TPC Strongly Against Stadium

An analysis of public submissions received by the Tasmanian Planning Commission reveals that 85% of the 839 submissions received were opposed to or critical of the stadium.

“It’s yet more strong evidence that the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians don’t want a new stadium at Macquarie Point,” said Vica Bayley, Greens Sports Spokesperson.

“The stadium is deeply unpopular because Tasmanians know it’s the wrong priority for taxpayer dollars and will damage so much of what’s special about the city of Hobart. These concerns were strongly reinforced in more than 700 of the submissions to the Planning Commission.”

“The recent EMRS polling shows the Premier’s broken funding cap promise, together with his corruption of the planning assessment process, is driving even greater opposition against a stadium in the community. Overwhelmingly, people want to prioritise scarce resources on health, housing and education services.”

A selection of representations to the TPC are reproduced below.

Glebe Residents Association (conclusion).

John Vivarelli.

Tasmanian Ratepayers’ Association (conclusion).

Gail Jeff and Alexandra Ridley.

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