Clarence is committed, but delays and ambiguity are undermining progress on the AFL training facility

Lack of certainty over the AFL/AFLW centre at Rosny is causing community concern, writes Brendan Blomeley.

Published in the Mercury on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 (see here).

Nine months after the Rosny Parklands/Charles Hand Park was selected by the Tasmanian Government as the preferred site for the AFL/AFLW High Performance Centre, it is high time the Clarence community had certainty about the future of its beloved city heart.

From the outset, Clarence City Council has recognised the immense benefits the AFL/AFLW High Performance Centre will bring to the region and the community.

Not only will it serve as a state-of-the-art training ground for elite athletes, it will also provide unparalleled opportunities for grassroots sports development, community connection, and economic growth.

Council and residents have invested time, effort, and resources into securing the Centre for our city, and we deserve to have a clear understanding on the status of our proposal and when a decision is to be announced.

The lack of certainty and information surrounding the status of our proposal is becoming unfair.

Our commitment to the project is well documented. We have worked tirelessly to assist the government to explore and examine the viability of the development within the Rosny Parklands, and we have undertaken continuous and comprehensive community engagement and consultation on the proposal.

In response to community feedback, we included an addition to our initial proposal, providing the option for the Centre to be located entirely in the former Rosny golf course. We also held a public meeting to allow for further community feedback.

In response to two petitions from a community group, Council conducted a public meeting and then an elector poll, which subsequently revealed 51.39 per cent of the 28,482 residents who voted supported the Centre being built in the Rosny Parklands (excluding Charles Hand Memorial Park).

While the entire process has been costly, in dollar terms, and also in terms of division within parts of our community, it has also shown the passion that a large portion of our community has toward this project. Council has worked hard to ensure all sides of the debate have been listened to and understood, leading to the clarity and support that we have today for the project.

The council has also invested significant time and effort into ensuring the Centre can be incorporated into our City Heart Plan without compromising its wider, vibrant vision, which has been shaped entirely on the wishes of the community.

After nine months, to have this level of emotional, financial and time investment met with a complete lack of certainty from government and the AFL is understandably frustrating for all parties involved. Our community is keen to understand the details of the proposal and how it can be delivered. As representatives of our community, we cannot provide any information if it is not forthcoming from the Tasmanian Government.

The residents of Clarence have shown remarkable resilience, energy, and commitment throughout this journey, regardless of which side of the fence they sit.

Many local businesses have pledged their support, recognising the economic boost the Centre will bring, while schools and sports clubs enthusiastically anticipate the opportunities it will facilitate for future collaboration and development.

However, despite our collective efforts we find ourselves at a crossroads. The lack of certainty surrounding the project’s future is causing growing concern among our residents and stakeholders. The delays and ambiguities are not only frustrating, they also risk undermining the considerable progress we have made so far.

We implore the relevant decision-makers to provide clear and timely updates on the status of this vital project. Our community deserves to know whether their investments of time, money, and hope will come to fruition. Certainty will enable us to plan effectively, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain the momentum we have created.

The AFL High Performance Centre represents so much more than just a sports facility. It is a symbol of our community’s future aspirations.

Clarence City Council has invested heavily in this vision, and we urge the decision-makers to provide the clarity and certainty we need to keep moving forward. Together, we can ensure this project not only succeeds but becomes a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and commitment.

Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of the City of Clarence.