Hobart eastern shores location selected for high-performance AFL training centre

Parklands at Rosny on Hobart's eastern shore surrounding a school and shopping centre have been chosen as the location for high-performance centre for Tasmania’s new AFL club.

The Tasmanian Government announced yesterday that the former Rosny golf course and nearby Charles Hand Park will host the "state-of-the-art facilities for Tasmania's AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW players".

Announcing the site for the $70 million facility, Tasmanian Stadia and Sports Minister Nic Street "It will include facilities for coaching, administrative and support staff, with a second oval to be located at the adjacent Charles Hand Park, and will be vital in setting the club up for success from the outset.”

Minister Street said Rosny was chosen due to its "highly visible central location (that) will represent a symbol of the club's ambitions and values.

"We're confident players and staff will embrace this location. It is close to the city and the airport, has great amenities nearby and will make the team highly visible."

Under the Tasmanian Government's contract with the AFL, the training facility must have two MCG-sized ovals, a 1,400 metre² indoor training area, strength and condition facilities and an administration building.

It will also have swimming pool recovery areas, an auditorium and be of similar standard to other AFL high-performance centres.

The club will pay $1 rent for the site.

Welcoming the announcement, Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley said it provided an opportunity for further parkland development in Rosny.

Mayor Blomeley advised “it also provides Clarence City Council the opportunity to design the parkland space around the centre and through our City Heart plan, build something truly wonderful for our community, that will be a source of pride for generations.”

The Tasmanian Government hopes to have the facility built and ready by 2026, giving the new team a place to train before its first-ever season in 2028.

It is budgeted to cost $70 million to build - $60 million from the Tasmanian Government and $10 million from the AFL.

New centre's economic benefits
A report by SGS Economics and Planning found the new centre would generate positive economic impacts during its construction and operation, predicting it would create 255 jobs each year from 2028.

A recent council survey found 68% of respondents from the Clarence area were supportive of the council becoming the new club's training base.

The AFL and Tasmanian Government have signed a contract for the new AFL team to start playing matches in 2028 and at a new Macquarie Point roofed stadium in 2029.

The deal is subject to the contentious stadium being built, with the  proposal currently being assessed by Tasmania’s planning commission.

Images: Concept for the new AFL oval (above) and a map of parklands showing the AFL high-performance centre site plan (below). Credit: Tasmanian Government.