Council bid to dial up stays

Hotel-motel near footy

A TASMANIAN council will vote next week whether it should seek investors to build a new hotel-motel in a sporting precinct earmarked for an upgrade so it can host AFL games.

Central Coast councillor Casey Hiscutt has given notice to move at the council’s next meeting wheth- er to seek advice for the best way forward to see a new accommodation facility in Penguin’s Dial Park.

The council would call for expressions of interest for private investors wanting to build and/or manage a new complex.

Cr Hiscutt’s motion has been backed by the council’s general manager.

A new luxury hotel opened in neighbouring Devonport recently and the Central Coast needs more accommodation options as tourism continues to grow.

“The Central Coast municipality is ideally situated for tourism and is in dire need of a new accommodation complex,” Mr Hiscutt said.

“One option would be to support and complement the Dial Regional Sports Complex.”

The precinct is already home to two football grounds, cricket, golf, bowls, tennis, and basketball facilities.

There is also a synthetic athletics track and mountain biking in the area along with a sports and servicemens’ club.

“There is also incredible predicted growth, namely in the state government committing to a $25m upgrade of the football ground with the intent to potentially host AFL games, as well as regularly attracting high profile international events,” Mr Hiscutt said.

“There is also significant growth in mountain biking, as Tasmania is becoming a hot spot for mountain biking tourism, with an estimated growth of up to 70,000 people per year.

“What it now needs is sufficient capacity to host those people.”

Mr Hiscutt said his motion was not a guarantee of action but whether the council should investigate the best way forward.

“If there is someone out there interested in this amazing opportunity it could be a huge boon to the area,” his motion reads.