Postal ballot packs sent to electors contain an elector poll booklet. This web page reproduces that booklet in accessible HTML format. The booklet is also available in PDF format.
The Clarence City Council held a public meeting on Wednesday 15 May 2024 in response to a petition regarding the possible location of a High Performance Centre, which will be the home of the Tasmanian AFL/AFLW club.
Following the public meeting, a petition was submitted to council seeking an elector poll on "whether the Charles Hand Park and/or Rosny Parklands should be made available to the AFL for its High Performance Centre."
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, as the petition included more than 1,000 signatures from electors in the Clarence municipal area, the council is required to conduct this elector poll.
The Clarence City Council has contributed to the YES case statement.
The Save Rosny's Parks group has contributed to the NO case statement.
The outcome of this elector poll is not binding on council.
The elector poll includes the following two questions, which are provided on the separate ballot paper:
The Tasmanian Government together with the AFL intend to construct a High Performance Centre (HPC) which will be the home of the Tasmanian AFL/AFLW Club.
A HPC will include:
Following an expression of interest to host the HPC, Clarence City Council began preliminary investigations into possible locations across the city.
The former Rosny golf course, now known as Rosny Parklands, and Charles Hand Park were identified as preferred sites after a period of community consultation.
There are currently three site options under consideration:
A still to be determined Heads of Agreement will define key terms such as the boundary and site footprint, key lease terms, rent and other requirements.
Click to open full size map in a new tab.
This is a unique opportunity to secure a world-class community and sporting facility, unmatched anywhere else in Tasmania, and avoid losing it to another council.
The High Performance Centre will deliver social and economic benefits for Clarence and provide a significant opportunity to enhance and shape the future of the Rosny Park CBD.
It will breathe new life into the area.
The Centre will offer community access through the use of its facilities, ovals, and the club's outreach and community programs.
Council believes the development will align with the guiding principles of the City Heart Plan and represents the best use of the land.
It will respect the area's tradition as a sporting precinct, having been a golf course for nearly 100 years until 2021.
No other Clarence City Council-owned land is suitable or meets the criteria for this development.
Clarence is spoilt for open space - this development and the City Heart Plan offer something unique, unavailable anywhere else in Clarence, and the benefit will only be realised if the facility is built here, in our city.
Voting yes will show your support for the High Performance Centre and the future upgrade of the Rosny Park CBD.
The Clarence City Council has provided the following links to further information on their website:
The TEC is not responsible for information provided on third-party websites.
Voting no to both questions is the only way to save these parks. Don't give our parks away. We consider that other areas in Clarence would be better locations for an AFL elite football training centre.
From a 2023 survey on this proposal, Council only knows the views of 757 of our 61,500 residents. That's just 1.2% of the Clarence population.
Rosny's parks are used for skateboarding, cross country, athletics, orienteering, cycling events, exercising dogs, college outdoor activities and leisure pursuits which will be under threat or lost if the AFL takes over.
Council's City Heart Plan features these parklands with passive and active open spaces, including paths, arts and culture, meeting areas and playgrounds, all publicly accessible. This could be the centrepiece of the city. This proposal will significantly impact these opportunities.
Extensive earthworks will be required to level Rosny's parks and could create high retaining walls and banks, permanently destroying these parklands. It could cost Tasmanian taxpayers millions of dollars just to make the land level. An unknown number of mature trees, the homes of birds and wildlife, will be removed.
Voting no to both questions will send a strong message that we want publicly owned parklands for future generations.
The Save Rosny's Parks group has provided the following links to further information:
The TEC is not responsible for information provided on third-party websites.
Follow these five easy steps:
Your vote must be received by 2 pm Thursday 8 August.