Talking Point: the DEC, showgrounds and Elwick Racecourse could be a cultural hub for Glenorchy

The DEC, showgrounds and Elwick racecourse could be a cultural hub for events if we play our cards right, says tourism gun Richard Dax.

The Derwent Entertainment Centre. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

I AM a director of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania board but write this article from a purely personal perspective as a concerned member of the public. My views are not necessarily those of other RAST directors or the board’s CEO.

I make it clear that I have no negativity about the great sport of basketball and would encourage a Tasmanian side in our national competition.

Neither do I object to selling or leasing the Derwent Entertainment Centre to anyone who can successfully turn it into a commercial and community asset.

What does concern me are the reports of a single proposal being considered for ownership of a community owned facility when it is clear that these properties could provide a far greater opportunity for a multipurpose precinct.

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Mr Larry Kestelman and his companies are clearly very successful as is shown by their various projects such as his privately owned basketball league and $700 million Capitol residential and commercial project on Melbourne’s Toorak Rd.

I congratulate him but ask the question, is his proposal about the DEC and basketball or really about future major development having secured exclusive development rights and presumably front running for his proposals?

Indeed is this what the community at large needs and wants?

This is the second recent bid for these properties, the first from another company which failed as being unrealistic. Are we facing a second proposal from a single organisation based solely on the cash being offered? Either proposals may be seen as a real estate grab in a different guise.

I would point out that the first proposal was based not only on basketball games but also a hotel, housing, a marina and publicly stated “other things” so are we again facing subterfuge under the name of basketball?

The Tasmanian public would be best served by an open and totally transparent market process to ensure a deal through that advantages Glenorchy. If this sole proposal fails what then, do we start all over again?

To avoid this we must gain submissions from all parties and select the most innovative and community friendly proposal.

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There is another way to enable a wider view of not just the DEC and Wilkinsons Point but also its surrounds thereby showing a far greater vision and chance for an ongoing public amenity.

The Royal Showgrounds owns a similarly sized area and there is also the Elwick Racecourse. Surely they should be considered in conjunction with any DEC proposal. All these properties viewed together offer the largest and most outstanding development site in the entire metropolitan area. Together they offer a once only chance to create a community precinct unequalled elsewhere including the stagnant Macquarie Point.

Let us all think in a more enlightened way and consider a vision for the future. The possibilities are many but perhaps a start could be:

A COMMERCIALLY RUN DEC featuring not only major and minor league games but also concerts, community festivals, major public performance, international conferences and meetings and so on.

A ROYAL SHOW WEEK and other shows throughout the year featuring the best and latest Tasmanian farming techniques and products, high end food and wine, how the consumer is served such as “paddock to plate” and a permanent centre for our established world-recognised brand.

MULTIPLE LEVEL medium density housing project on the now ageing Showgrounds.

MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS centre as announced by this Government.

NEW USES for the Elwick Racecourse to enable greater use.

I suggest that the outcomes of such a project would greatly outweigh any proposal based on a single sport through a development based company. This could mean:

THE COUNCIL is happy from greater DEC usage and rates replacing losses.

THE COMMUNITY is happy because its asset and public spaces are retained for walking, riding, running.

THE GOVERNMENT gains an opportunity to address its housing crisis.

THE GOVERNMENT GAINS the opportunity to move forward on its promised multi sports arena.

THE RAST gains a whole new area in which to place a world class series of shows and entertainment.

THE CITY OF GLENORCHY gains a significant rise in rateable properties and population easing financial pressures.

ELWICK RACECOURSE gains increased usage.

Of course there will be many other ideas should the market as a whole be approached. I implore the Glenorchy City Council to consider this once-only chance instead of a single development cash offer to the possible detriment of the Tasmanian community at large.

Richard Dax is a director of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania. He is a Lake St Clair tourism developer, foundation director of Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania and a winner of the Minister’s Award for contribution to tourism.