UTAS upgrades: North Launceston must not be disadvantaged, says Brady

City of Launceston will vote on whether to endorse a $208 million UTAS Stadium future direction plan at its Thursday meeting after unveiling plans last week to boost the stadium's capacity to 24,112 and build a 5000-seat indoor sports facility.

It is hoped the upgrade would help bring Tasmania closer to securing an AFL licence and open the door for for other sports such as soccer and rugby to play games at the ground.

Brady said he hoped North Launceston's access to UTAS Stadium would not be further reduced should the project go ahead.

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"We are not against investment in our city," Brady said.

"The UTAS proposed upgrade is exciting for possibilities of attracting events, however, based on history our club will be sacrificed.

"Way back when York Park was upgraded to a stadium level we were promised by the then-Premier and mayor our club would not be disadvantaged.

"That was a fairytale statement as in reality a club that serves a huge community service that has been at York Park since 1893 is now a tenant that is treated with little respect and must beg for access to UTAS Stadium and Invermay Park."

North Launceston played the final six rounds of its successful 2019 TSL campaign away from home when UTAS Stadium underwent resurfacing, and fits in its home matches and training sessions around Hawthorn's four annual visits to Launceston.

Brady said the Bombers are often forced to train on horse tracks, rugby and soccer fields when UTAS is unavailable.

"In periods of forecast wet weather and before Hawthorn comes to town it's impossible to accommodate our squad training as grounds are closed with no alternatives offered," he said.

"The council's deal with the University means we are land-locked - no possibility to add a training or junior ground to be shared with Mowbray Cricket Club."

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City of Launceston mayor Albert Van Zetten assured the council would work closely with its major stakeholders in implementing the plans should they be given the green light.

"The City of Launceston has not yet had an opportunity to consider the draft UTAS Stadium future direction plan," Cr Van Zetten said.

"If the plan is adopted at Thursday's ordinary meeting, then the council intends on undertaking wide-ranging engagement with all key stakeholders, including the North Launceston Football Club.

"Through this process, the council hopes to ascertain all needs and requirements of those clubs and organisations who engage with the stadium - both now and into the future."

The proposed stadium redevelopment comes as the state government awaits word on whether the AFL will give Tasmania a timeline for if and when it can have its own team.