In short:
Tasmania’s government is facing another infrastructure cost blowout with the proposed Kingborough AFL high-performance centre build slated to cost $115 million, up from $70m.
The training and administration centre is a requirement for the Tasmanian team’s entry into the AFL.
What’s next?
Sports Minister Nick Duigan said the upcoming state budget would reflect the price increase, with the state government to cover $105 million of the total cost and the AFL to contribute the remaining $10 million.
This article is best read in conjuction with a quick listen to the government “explanation” for the blowout, as reported on ABC radio news that morning.
The news item is at: 28:08 – 28:59.
It includes an introduction by newsreader, Airlie Ward:
Sports Minister, Nick Duigan, says the centre is a great investment in the community and the revised estimate is because the government has now done the work to understand the full costs.
And the Minister’s statement:
There was an original allocation, as we’ve seen, you know, across projects here and elsewhere, increasing construction costs, that’s one thing to factor in, but understanding what needs to be done and what needs to be built…”