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Devonport City Council has selected Tasmanian construction company Fairbrother Pty Ltd to build the new $60 million Devonport Oval Sports Complex.

This follows Council’s selection in August 2023 of architectural firm Peddle Thorp to design the complex.

Fairbrother were appointed through an open competitive tender process and has been awarded the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract. The project is scheduled to break ground in early 2025, with a two-year construction timeline.

Under the ECI model, Fairbrother will now work closely with the Council, user groups and Peddle Thorp to finalise the design.

Devonport Oval is already home to the local football and cricket clubs, as well as the Mersey Valley cycling club, whose track runs around the perimeter of the existing oval.

The proposed multi-sport precinct will retain facilities for the clubs, but will also include new facilities for basketball, netball and athletics.

The project will involve a six-court indoor sports venue along with five outdoor courts. Located on the eastern side of the Devonport Oval, the complex will bring together at least six major sporting codes with shared social and function rooms, administration facilities, and high-performance training areas.

The Devonport Oval Sports Complex is set to include state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance community participation, foster inclusivity, and support pathways to elite-level sport. It aligns with Devonport City Council’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its residents.

Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman noted “this project is more than just a sports facility. It will strengthen our community, promote active living, and serve as a platform for future sporting talent, while continuing to celebrate our longstanding sporting culture.

Under the ECI model, Fairbrother will now work closely with the Council, user groups and Peddle Thorp to finalise the design with Mayor Jarman adding “the advantage of an ECI process is the practical experience the builder brings to the table, ensuring the design is finalised in the most buildable and cost-effective manner.”

Fairbrother Chief Executive Officer Kurt Arnold expressed the company’s excitement about contributing to the project sharing “we are proud to be part of this transformative project in Devonport. This initiative reflects our values of promoting health and wellbeing, and we look forward to delivering a facility that will have long lasting benefits for our local community.”

The $60 million project is being funded by contributions from all three levels of Government.

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