Bill to create Stadiums Tasmania agency tabled in Tasmanian Parliament

A Bill to establish the new Stadiums Tasmania venue management agency has been tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament.

Initially Stadiums Tasmania is expected to assume responsibility for up to four stadiums. MyState Bank Arena (the former Derwent Entertainment Centre) and the Launceston Silverdome, which are already owned by the Tasmanian Government will transfer to the new agency once the Stadiums Tasmania Bill 2021 is passed.

It is also planned that the new statutory entity will manage the Blundstone Arena and University of Tasmania (UTas) Stadium, subject to negotiations with their respective owners the City of Launceston and the Clarence City Council.

Introducing the Bill to the state Parliament yesterday, Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein stated “Tasmania’s major stadium assets are important for generating economic activity, encouraging active lifestyles, facilitating the highest levels of sport to compete in Tasmania, and hosting outstanding entertainment and events.

“The Stadiums Tasmania Bill 2021 recognises the importance of these community assets by establishing a new statutory authority with specific responsibility for overseeing Tasmania’s major stadiums and to maximise the economic and social benefits they deliver.

“Establishing Stadiums Tasmania will centralise the ownership, management and future capital development of our major stadiums under a single entity, with a Statewide perspective. It will ensure each stadium operates effectively and efficiently, and continues to meet the needs of sporting codes and competitions, other users and audiences.”

Stadiums Tasmania will centralise the ownership, management, and capital development of the state’s major stadiums under a single entity with a statewide perspective.

Background information on the new statutory entity advises “it will ensure the stadiums operate effectively and efficiently and that they continue to meet the future needs of sporting codes, other users, and audiences. This approach aligns Tasmania with the approach adopted by other states, where national standard stadiums are managed by Government.”

Stadiums Tasmania is expected to be established in late 2021, commence operating during 2022 and assume responsibility for the agreed stadiums from mid-2022 upon the commencement of the subsequent legislation.

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