DEVONPORT REIMAGINED: THE VISION CHANGING THE REGION

A bird's-eye-view of the new Waterfront Park and Novotel Devonport development. Image: Devonport City Council.

DEVONPORT REIMAGINED:

THE VISION CHANGING THE REGION

by Tahnia Creedon, Devonport City Council

Devonport, a bustling coastal city in the north of Tasmania, has long been a hub for many of its neighbouring small communities, and with population growth and tourism gearing up again post-pandemic, the city is on the brink of a total overhaul through its LIVING CITY project – hailed as a once-in-a-generation set of urban development initiatives designed to propel the region into the future.

Devonport is a city that has been on a transformational journey in recent years, thanks to the strategic direction of Devonport City Council’s LIVING CITY project.

The once-in-a-generation vision has seen the waterfront city embark on a bold new future, according to Devonport Mayor, Annette Rockliff.

Mayor Rockliff has been involved in the Council for 15 years, as a councillor, deputy mayor and for the past few years as mayor.

Since LIVING CITY first became a concept in 2009, Mayor Rockliff has seen the project evolve, with the masterplan officially adopted in 2014 after five years of significant research and community engagement.

“LIVING CITY was a ten-year-plus vision to create a new Devonport – a bold new future, valuing all that was good about the City, yet recognising that there was potential for it to aim higher,” Mayor Rockliff said.

“The benefits from Council’s bold investment in LIVING CITY have never been more evident, with strong investment confidence continuing to grow.

“We have seen our city revitalised since the Council adopted the LIVING CITY master plan.”

Mayor Rockliff said there are four key elements to the LIVING CITY vision: ∞ To strengthen the regional attraction for the North West of

Tasmania and the state’s tourist market ∞ Connect the Devonport CBD to the Mersey River ∞ Link existing retail and businesses through urban renewal ∞ Support local employment and economic growth

BUILDING A SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE REGION

Mayor Rockliff said LIVING CITY was conceived from the clear need for action in order for Devonport to fulfil its potential as the service centre for the region.

LIVING CITY has included three phases to date: the Southern Rooke Street revitalisation, paranaple centre precinct development, and the recent Waterfront Park and hotel projects.

Mayor Rockliff said the Southern Rooke Street development included property acquisition, development and streetscape works, which revitalised an underutilised area of the CBD.

The major $71 million paranaple centre construction incorporated the paranaple arts centre, Market Square Pavilion, Library, Service Tasmania, Council offices and the convention centre.

Mayor Rockliff looks out onto the Mersey River from the new waterfront elevated walkway. Image: Devonport City Council.

“LIVING CITY was always more than new buildings, it provides new opportunities, new tourist draw cards and new experiences.” Devonport Mayor, Annette Rockliff

TOURISM BACK AFTER PANDEMIC HIATUS

The works will also contribute to the growing number of tourists following the pandemic.

Mayor Rockliff said the City’s convention centre is a popular choice for national and state conferences with demand continuing to grow.

“With the recent Tasmania Visitor Survey showing strong recovery in visitation following the COVID-19 pandemic, including into regional areas, we know there is growing demand for travel options into the state,” Mayor Rockliff said.

“Recent announcements like the Rex Airlines decision to return flights to Devonport Airport this year are welcomed, as it increases access into the region for business and tourismrelated travel.

“Since Rex last operated from the Devonport Airport in 2005, Devonport has changed significantly as a city thanks to the LIVING CITY project.”

NEXT STAGES OF THE PROJECT

The latest phase of LIVING CITY, the $55 million Waterfront Park and hotel development, includes a new $40 million waterfront hotel, which is a private investment by Singaporebased Fragrance Group and operated by Accor.

The development will be branded as Novotel Devonport, with the 187-room hotel open to the public in late 2022.

Mayor Rockliff said Council’s $17 million Waterfront Park project will include a children’s play space with adjacent BBQ shelter and public amenities, endemic Tasmanian plantings, amphitheatre, water feature, events common, pathways, lighting, a rotunda and the much-anticipated elevated walkway, which extends out over the Mersey River.

“The waterfront precinct will draw people to the river both visually and physically, with the design of the parkland based around three wide promenades extending from the CBD to the river’s edge, forming a visual and physical connection to the river, which has long been a community desire,” Mayor Rockliff said.

Mayor Rockliff said the six success factors of LIVING CITY are: ∞ An evidence-based plan, with a compelling vision for the future ∞ The leadership of a united Council ∞ The involvement and support of community leaders ∞ Taking bold action – land purchases, increasing risk appetite, and operating outside the ‘normal’ Council sphere of responsibility ∞ Building and maintaining momentum ∞ Council’s resilience, and maintaining focus on the long-term vision

“LIVING CITY was always more than new buildings, it provides new opportunities, new tourist draw cards and new experiences,” Mayor Rockliff said.

“The City is transforming, so Devonport really is a place its residents can be proud to call home.”

The next steps for LIVING CITY include: ∞ Construction of the Sound and Light Show attraction in

Waterfront Park ∞ Progression of a number of private sector investment projects within the CBD ∞ Activation of the recently adopted Residential Growth

Strategy, Retail Study, and Community Sporting

Infrastructure Master plan ∞ Planning for the next stages of CBD regeneration projects, incorporating further private sector investment opportunities

Mayor Rockliff said the Sound and Light Show was pursued following early research identifying the lack of quality nighttime attractions in North West Tasmania and the limiting impact this was having on attracting overnight visitor stays.

“The Sound and Light Show will be a visual drawcard to the waterfront precinct, with internationally renowned Australianbased consultancy Mandylights commissioned to deliver the creative content, and with the project funding now confirmed, construction planning is underway,” Mayor Rockliff said.

“This will be a regional attractor to grow overnight stays in Devonport, and provide a unique experience that can evolve, develop and expand over time.”

SUPPORTING LOCAL INVESTMENT

Mayor Rockliff said Council’s Development Site EOI process is a targeted release of sites within the CBD to support a diverse range of project scales and types.

She said the EOI process is structured to ensure there are opportunities for local investors and developers, as well as established national investors.

“Following the initial direct action and investment taken by Council in the early stages of LIVING CITY, we are continuing to focus on the lifestyle and liveability infrastructure that supports our growing community,” Mayor Rockliff said.

“Council has released several key strategies and master plans to help create stimulation and support of further private sector investment, which is also key to the ongoing stages of LIVING CITY.

“Like all key strategies, these have been open to community consultation and we have been impressed with the level of input and engagement that shows we are on the right path.”

For more information on the LIVING CITY project head to Devonport City Council’s website.