York Park - Soccer Facilities & 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Question without notice

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT answered by DEPUTY LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms HOWLETT

[2.47 p.m.]

I am assuming that both my questions are going to be answered by the minister, Ms Courtney, because I was instructed previously that she was also the minister for defence.

Regarding the upcoming assessment period by FIFA of Tasmania's soccer facilities and assets for the purposes of selecting host venues, and the capacity of the Small Business, Hospitality and Events portfolio, will the Leader please advise -

(1) The planned timeline for York Park to a rectangular configuration to accommodate soccer games, understanding that in order to adequately bid for World Cup games and provide facilities that will cater to increased local participation in soccer, this will require a more comprehensive configuration to the A League games that have been hosted in the past.

(2) If a time line cannot be provided, could the Leader please advise what work has been completed to date to prepare for the reconfiguration of York Park?

(3) What other steps are being taken to pursue proactively opportunities related to the hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and what milestones have been achieved to that end?

(4) What engagement with Football Tasmania and other soccer organisations has been undertaken to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by Australia's hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Launceston for her question.

(1) to (4)

The Tasmanian Government congratulates Football Federation Australia for securing the bid to jointly host the FIFA Women's World Cup with the New Zealand in 2023. The Government contributed to the joint winning bid and we are excited at the potential to secure gains and potentially national team-based training camps.

The venue has publicly been associated with Tasmania's bid. UTAS Stadium, or York Park, is a facility owned and managed by the City of Launceston.

The Tasmanian Government's agreement with FIFA will provide an investment of $1 million should we secure three group stage matches and the option of two base camps training venues. Confirmation of final host cities and venues is expected to be announced in March 2021. The Government recognises there is a tight preparation time for Tasmania to secure our place in the final venue for the World Cup. It also recognises the ability to convert UTAS Stadium to rectangular configuration is a factor that is likely to be determined in whether we secure World Cup games.

The Government has convened a working group with senior leadership from the Department of State Growth, as well as Launceston City Council, to fully explore and progress this matter. We are expecting we will have more to say about this opportunity in the coming weeks.

Ms ARMITAGE - Mr President, while I thank the Deputy Leader for those answers, they are actually almost identical to the answers that I had from the Minister for Sport and Recreation. I was advised at the time that perhaps I should ask the Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events, Ms Courtney, the same questions. It is interesting that I have pretty well, with a few words changed, received the same answers.