Tynwald Park is in New Norfolk Tasmania and is one of the most picturesque public parks in Southern Tasmania.  It has also been the home ground of the New Norfolk Panthers Soccer club and its 200 members for over 40 years. For many years the park has been enjoyed by the local community, visitors and tourists who visit the area to enjoy the park, its equipment, and lovely green grounds. 

The park hosts large events run by the Soccer Club that sees between 600-800 people come through the grounds between 9am and 1pm every 3 weeks for junior game days as well being used for events hosted by the community using the council provided BBQ facilities for birthday parties and other like events.

However, despite the park being one of the biggest attractions in New Norfolk the existing toilet block and 'change rooms' are in a state of disrepair and are not only an eyesore on the beautiful grounds but also unsafe, unhygienic, and not fit for purpose for both a growing community and soccer club.

The women and children who play soccer at these grounds are required to change in to and out of their gear in full view of the public and often stand out in the cold and rain as the change rooms offered by the council are in disrepair, too small, unhygienic, and unsafe.  There is not so much as even a basic shelter / team box near the grounds to provide cover.

Over the years the Panthers Soccer Club have received countless complaints from parents, visiting players, and members of the public regarding the state of the public toilets and lack of facilities.  Unfortunately, as these are council owned facilities the soccer club is not able to address these concerns however it has consistently passed feedback onto council and has several times requested that new facilities be a matter of priority and provide appropriate facilities that are safe, hygienic, and inclusive for all members of the community including our players, visiting teams, spectators and children. 

Recently, there was announcement by the Derwent Valley Council that the Liberal Government has pledged upon re-election to provide 1 million dollars towards an upgrade of the existing pavilion the New Norfolk District Football Club located at Boyer Oval.  Although the Panthers Soccer club is pleased for and excited for the players and supporters of the football club upon this announcement, we would like for the government and council to commit to the same level of upgrade for our community and club.

The New Norfolk Panthers Soccer Club are therefore now raising awareness of the lack of facilities for their women and junior players (and senior men’s teams) and highlight that there are no change rooms, no spectator pavilions nor any basic shelters in place for this growing sport and are asking the community to show its support for an upgrade of the existing toilet block that provides both the Soccer Club with appropriate change rooms and provides better public toilet facilities for the wider community.

The development of a new facility in place of the existing toilet block would both serve the wider community with cleaner and safer access to public toilets and allow for the Soccer Club to have a ‘home base’ like that of the Cricket, Football and Rowing clubs in the Derwent Valley for its 200+ members and supporters.

See Photos of the current state of these facilities here: Facility Photos

We request please that you show your support and sign this petition so that we can lobby local, state and federal governments for support and funding.