Devonport City Council is progressing the next stage of its long-term Living City transformation, with a plan that creates two strategic development opportunities in the heart of the CBD.
The plan includes a new commercial building with office and retail offerings along with a high-end multi-level residential apartment complex above multi-level public carparking.
The plan is designed to reshape the vehicle dominated area near the existing cinema complex into a vibrant and people focused precinct, with strong connections into the existing retail areas.
The Mayor of Devonport, Cr Alison Jarman, said this next stage of Living City builds directly on the strategy that has shaped Devonport since 2013.
“Over more than a decade, Living City has delivered the paranaple centre, transformed our waterfront, and helped drive private-sector momentum across the CBD. Releasing this plan for what is really the traditional heart of our CBD is the next logical step in creating a connected, activated and future focused city centre.”
The core purpose of the Living City Master Plan has been to reinvigorate Devonport CBD and the role the city plays as the main service centre to the 70,000 residents of the broader region.
The Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has welcomed Devonport City Council’s plan to unlock two strategic CBD land parcels for mixed-use development, describing it as a positive signal for business confidence and the next step in strengthening the long-term vitality of the city centre.
President, Claire Connelly, said the announcement aligns strongly with the Chamber’s long-standing focus on driving sustainable economic growth, attracting investment and supporting a vibrant, connected city centre.
“This is a positive signal for Devonport’s business community. Unlocking these sites for mixed-use development, including new retail, office and residential offerings, will help attract more people into the CBD and support the long-term economic resilience of our city,” Mrs Connelly said.
This next stage supports Living City’s long-term objectives, including:
• Strengthening the connection between the city and the Mersey River
• Creating vibrant civic and commercial destinations
• Stimulating private investment
• Strengthening pedestrian networks and public spaces
Dubbed the Formby Road Urban Renewal Study this most recent work by council outlines a concept plan to further deliver on the Living City vision, anchored by:
• Major new infill mixed-use development, including the potential to support a substantial new office space and commercial development, along with residential opportunities aligned to long-term growth needs of the City.
• A new urban plaza, creating an interface for the new development parcels with key connections into the established CBD retail and services precincts, and providing a social meeting space for the community and visitors to the City.
• Future Activation opportunities, by supporting the transformation of existing “back-of-house” areas to address the newly activated precinct, improving safety and strengthening intuitive wayfinding within the CBD.
Mrs Connelly said it was encouraging to see Council creating clear, investment-ready opportunities for the private sector.
“When government sets a clear direction, it sends a strong message that our region is open for business. This plan provides the kind of certainty investors look for and builds on the momentum created by Living City and other strategic projects across the North-West.”
