West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl has expressed disappointment over the State Government’s failure to commit funding in yesterday’s budget for the proposed indoor sports facility at Legana.
Council had sought a $5 million commitment from the State Government to match a $5 million Federal Government grant for the facility.
Mayor Holmdahl said the combined funding is essential to assist with the construction of a four-court indoor sports facility on land adjoining the new Legana Primary School.
“Legana is the most significant developing residential area in the West Tamar municipality, and it has been identified by Council as our preferred focus for residential consolidation over the next 20 years,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“We are projecting one of the fastest-growing populations in northern Tasmania through to 2042. New residential developments, proximity to Launceston, and housing affordability are all contributing to the region’s increasing popularity, particularly among young families.”
Mayor Holmdahl highlighted the disparity in regional sports funding, noting what she described as a missed opportunity for the West Tamar community.
“It is highly frustrating to see the State Government commit more than $65 million to the Northern Recreation Hub in Mowbray and nearly $4.7 million at Elphin, while overlooking our rapidly expanding community,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“Given that Legana is the fastest-growing region in the north, this glaring omission certainly calls into question the equitable distribution of sporting infrastructure priorities in Northern Tasmania.”
In April, Council endorsed the long-awaited Legana Community Sports and Recreation Precinct Master Plan, which includes the scoping of stage one works at the site.
The comprehensive master plan outlines an indoor multi-purpose facility, new clubrooms, function and hospitality spaces, change rooms, an outdoor central hub and market area, cricket training nets, and staged parking.
The site currently features a Council-owned, regional-sized AFL oval, which is used by Legana Primary School pupils during school hours and after school hours by local sporting groups.
According to business case modelling, the master plan will deliver significant economic benefits for the region, with total projected output impacts of $32 million for the Legana area, $33.8 million for the municipality, and $41.6 million for the northern region. The project is also expected to create up to 68 jobs in the West Tamar alone.
With the Federal Government already committing $5 million toward the indoor multi-purpose facility, Council is prepared to invest a further $5 million for the sports clubrooms, function centre, and outdoor cricket nets.
Mayor Holmdahl said the demand for this type of infrastructure is supported by strong participation numbers, which is outlined in the Northern Tasmania Sports Facility Plan 2023.
Basketball participation has surged over the past five years, now ranking as the third-highest participation sport in Tasmania for children and the sixth-highest for adults.
Despite this, Mayor Holmdahl said that there are currently no indoor sports facilities capable of hosting basketball, netball, hockey, or futsal in the West Tamar.
“There is an undeniable need for an indoor facility in the north’s second-largest municipality, and Council is determined to address it,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“It is deeply disappointing that the State Government could not distribute its generous sports funding more equitably across the region.”