Glenorchy City Council will not make a submission to the State Government for an AFL high-performance training centre to be based in the City of Glenorchy.
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said that after exploring the feasibility of a number of sites in the municipal area, council staff recommended the council did not proceed with a submission based on the cost and difficulty of providing alternative playing grounds for clubs that would need to be relocated to make way for such a facility.
“The preferred option in Glenorchy for an AFL high performance training centre would encompass both KGV Oval and the Ian “Jesse” James Oval, displacing four community sporting clubs and likely restricting the use of another.
“While we are open for business in Glenorchy and can see benefit in being home to an AFL high performance training centre, we had a responsibility to consider the impact on community clubs and the ratepayers had we proceeded.
“We already have a shortage of not only playing fields for community sport but also land to develop new ones, so it would have been an extremely hard if not impossible task to relocate community clubs, as well as incurring a significant cost to the ratepayer.”
Mayor Thomas said the council’s decision was also based on the fact the KGV – Ian “Jesse” James option was not ranked as high as other potential locations in other municipal areas.
“The council had extensive engagement with the State Government’s project team and we knew that the KGV – Ian “Jesse” James option was not a preferred option at this stage in the process.
“On that basis, council officers felt to proceed with a potentially costly submission would not be a wise use of ratepayer funds; a position which was ultimately supported by the council.
“As a council, we welcome the engagement with the State Government on this issue, and while we know there are people in the community who feel Glenorchy would be a good location for such a facility, the option is not as well regarded as others in the Greater Hobart area.
“Accordingly, council voted to not make a submission.”