Kingborough Mayor, Paula Wriedt said the Kingborough community was missing out on Federal funding commitments due to not being a marginal electorate.
“Having been a safe Labor seat for decades we consistently get overlooked during elections which is frustrating for our residents,” Cr Wriedt said.
“Just recently, Devonport received a commitment from Federal Labor for $25million for upgrades to sporting facilities in the area, with a population of around 25,000 people.
“Additionally, George Town with a population of just 7,000 residents has been promised $15 Million to upgrade their aquatic facilities. Both of these are unsurprisingly in marginal seats.
“Kingborough Council’s request for Federal funding towards a much needed upgrade to the Kingborough Sports Centre seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
“Kingborough continues to grow rapidly, exceeding all population projects.
“It is estimated that when the most recent census data is released it will show our population is nearing 40,000 residents.
“Kingborough Council’s Sports Centre is an important sporting hub for the whole of southern Tasmania. Our data shows that we are servicing a catchment of around 100,000 people from Hobart through Kingborough to the Channel and Huon Valley.
“The Sports Centre is now at capacity and we haven’t been able to provide court space to a range of Clubs. For example, last year we didn’t have the capacity to accommodate volleyball.
“The growth of new sports such as pickle ball has also put pressure on demand for our facilities. This is an emerging and fast growing sport and while we could provide them with courts to play, they could expand further if we had more courts to provide them.
“Council is seeking a contribution from a future Federal Government to upgrade the Kingborough Sports Centre to satisfy the needs of the community.
“We have been working with all the Sports Centre user groups to come up with a plan that would benefit the Clubs and enable them to grow and have a project that is shovel ready.
“However, at a total cost of nearly $26million it is not a project that Council could do on our own, so we need support from other levels of Government to make this a reality.
“The project will provide 4 new indoor netball and multiuse courts, upgrade our 2 outdoor netball courts and shelters and provide additional car parking for the many users.
“The upgrade will also have a new, easily accessible single point of entry, a shared kiosk, and provide more working space and rooms for our community sporting clubs creating economies of scale for the Clubs.
“The Kingborough Sports Centre currently has four indoor multi use courts and four outdoor netball courts, however the outdoor netball courts are in poor condition which could increase the risk of injuries to players.
“As a former netball player myself I also know that playing outside in winter isn’t that pleasant either and increasing social teams want to play indoors.
“Netball is the most popular team sport for girls and women aged 15-24 and the most popular form of physical activity for 12 to 17 year old girls in Australia.
“The new multiuse courts can be used for netball as well as basketball, gymnastics, futsal, pickle ball and volleyball and will make the Kingborough Sports Centre the largest indoor sports stadium in the State.
“It’s clear that the Kingborough Sports Centre has become the regional sports hub for this part of Southern Tasmania, servicing people from a wide catchment area.
“The new facilities will also enhance the opportunities for neighbouring Kingston High School which is on track to become a centre of excellence for sports education in years 11 and 12.
“The opportunity for everyone to participate in sport, recreation, exercise, and leisure activities is a very important part of a healthy community.”