Master Plan sets direction for Burnie’s future sporting infrastructure
Published on 20 August 2026
Councillors will consider the adoption of a long-term Master Plan to guide the development of modern, connected sporting facilities across Burnie at the August Council meeting.
The Multipurpose Sports Precinct Master Plan proposes a staged approach to improving sporting facilities through a new four court indoor stadium at Burnie High School and a multi-sport precinct at McKenna Park.
The plan aims to increase sporting capacity, provide modern facilities and support future growth in participation, while making better use of Council’s existing assets.
Two sites, one strategic approach
Council engaged @leisure through an Active Tasmania grant to help develop the Master Plan, with sporting groups consulted about their current challenges, future needs and opportunities to support participation.
A number of potential locations were considered, with a two-site approach identified as the best outcome.
The proposed four court indoor stadium at Burnie High School would increase indoor court capacity from two to four courts, providing additional training and competition space for local sporting clubs and supporting sports including basketball, netball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, futsal and wheelchair sports.
The facility would also create a shared use partnership with Burnie High School, enabling the school to access a modern, purpose-built facility during school hours while maximising use of the facility throughout the day.
Council has received a letter of in-principle support from Burnie High School for the proposed location. If the Master Plan is adopted, Council would progress further discussions with the school and the Department of Education, Children and Young People.
The proposed multi-sport precinct at McKenna Park would create a purpose-built hub for rugby, gymnastics, cheerleading and community facilities alongside existing sporting users.
Co-locating sporting organisations would provide opportunities to share infrastructure and resources, improve facilities and support future participation growth.
Making better use of Council assets
The Master Plan also looks at how Council can make better use of its existing sporting facilities and land.
By bringing sporting groups together in purpose-built precincts, there may be opportunities to repurpose some existing sites, with any future proceeds able to be reinvested into new sporting infrastructure.
Relocating facilities from the Wivenhoe site could also create an opportunity to make industrial-zoned land available for future development, helping respond to demand for industrial land in Burnie.
This approach could also reduce the ongoing costs of maintaining and renewing multiple ageing sporting facilities.
A long-term framework
The Master Plan aligns with Council’s Making a Better Burnie 2044 Strategic Plan, supporting Goal 1 – Making an active town centre and Goal 2 – Making liveable local communities.
If adopted, the Master Plan would provide a long-term framework to guide future investment and help Council pursue State and Australian Government funding, as well as other external grant opportunities.
There is more work to do before individual projects can progress, including further planning and design, site investigations and discussions with key partners.
Council has received overwhelming support from sporting groups consulted as part of the project.
Councillors will consider the Multipurpose Sports Precinct Master Plan at the August Council meeting.