Council to consider UTAS Stadium MoU
Published on 10 November 2023
The City of Launceston will next week consider the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding future AFL and AFLW content in Launceston, ahead of the proposed transfer of UTAS Stadium to the new State Government entity Stadiums Tasmania.
York Park, known commonly as UTAS Stadium through a commercial sponsorship agreement, is currently owned and operated by the City of Launceston.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said UTAS Stadium was a significant asset, delivering more than $30m in visitor spending within the Northern Tasmanian economy each year.
"The Council's management of UTAS Stadium has brought some incredible benefits to Northern Tasmania over the years, but it has become clear that to manage such a high calibre sporting and events stadium into the future it's going to be unsustainable for a local Council," Mayor Garwood said.
"That's why in 2021 the Council developed the York Park (UTAS Stadium) Future Directions Plan, designed to put the stadium on a sustainable path for the future, and which prompted discussions with the State Government around the transfer of ownership of the stadium to the new management entity, Stadiums Tasmania.
"Transferring ownership of the stadium to a management authority like Stadiums Tasmania would bring UTAS Stadium into line with other Tier 2 Stadia across the country, which are generally owned by State Governments either directly, or through a Trust or Authority.
"So you've got examples like Perth's Optus Stadium, which is managed by Venues West on behalf of the Western Australian State Government, GMHBA Stadium in Geelong which is managed by the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, or the Gabba, which is managed by Stadiums Queensland.
"Following these discussions, the State and Federal Governments have committed more than $130m in funding for upgrades and expansion of UTAS Stadium in recognition of the venue's continuing importance as a sporting and entertainment venue — a major investment in our region which would be overseen by Stadiums Tasmania.
"It's intended that Stadiums Tasmania will bring together a range of experts with specialised skills to grow content at the facilities it manages, including UTAS Stadium.
"In fact, the sole strategic focus of the organisation will be on the management and expansion of the state's major sporting and entertainment venues, enhancing Tasmania’s ability to attract major national and international sporting competitions, entertainment and events."
Mayor Garwood said that before the formal transfer of ownership occurred, the Council had been eager to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister for Stadia and Events expressing clear commitments around future content at UTAS Stadium.
"What we'll be considering next week is a draft Memorandum of Understanding which reinforces the intention to retain the level of AFL and AFLW content at UTAS Stadium before and after the introduction of a Tasmanian AFL club," Mayor Garwood said.
"While the Stadiums Tasmania Act 2022 specifies that Stadiums Tasmania must continue to attract and deliver international and national sporting, entertainment and events content, we're hopeful this Memorandum of Understanding will give additional assurance to our community that all parties are committed to growing content at UTAS Stadium under a new management model, long into the future.
"And though the Memorandum of Understanding is not legally binding, it represents a clear publicly stated commitment from the parties around their intentions, on top of the legally binding responsibilities outlined in the Stadiums Tasmania Act 2022.
"If Councillors agree to endorse the Memorandum of Understanding, we expect the formal process to transfer ownership of UTAS Stadium to Stadiums Tasmania to commence shortly afterwards."
Tasmania's Minister for Stadia and Events Nic Street said the State Government was pleased to see the draft Memorandum of Understanding going before the Council for decision.
"UTAS Stadium is a key piece of infrastructure for Northern Tasmania, and the Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to securing the ongoing viability and success of the venue," Minister Street said.
"Stadiums Tasmania’s remit includes attracting content to stadia right across the State.
"As an early commitment to this I’m very pleased to have worked with the City of Launceston on this Memorandum of Understanding regarding AFL content.
"We will do everything we can to ensure Northern Tasmania is, at the very least, no worse off for AFL content as we work towards our own Tasmanian Team running onto the field."