Developer Simon Want says Devonport Showgrounds project not far off construction phase

A transformative development first pitched six-years-ago appears to be edging closer to completion. From affordable housing to retail — and even an ‘urban farm’, find out what’s planned.

An artist's impression of what the final Devonport Showground redevelopment project could look like once complete. Picture: Supplied.

More than six years after it was first proposed, and despite projected cost blowouts, construction for the ambitious plan to turn the Devonport Showgrounds into a “village inside a city” is expected to start in 2025.

Developer Simon Want, who is the founder of Enrich Ventures, bought the 10ha piece of land from the Devonport Pastoral and Agricultural Society in 2019 for an undisclosed amount, with the sale finalised in 2022.

The site previously hosted the Devonport Show until it was axed in 2017, as well as greyhound and harness racing meets.

There is currently no racetrack in the region after plans to build a facility at Wesley Vale near the Devonport airport were scrapped due to cost blowouts.

The first development application for the project at the showground is before the Devonport City Council.

The masterplan for the Devonport Showground redevelopment. Picture: Supplied.

If approved, it would allow Mr Want to divide the land into 15 “super lots” and start engaging with potential specialist partners for wraparound services at the location.

The site has been home to the Devonport Farmers Market for around two years, which Mr Want said he had been using as an opportunity for community engagement.

“We’ve been jokingly saying that we’re building the community before we’re building the community,” he said.

“It sounds a bit silly for a developer to run a farmers market, but for us, it’s been wonderful because it’s actually allowed us to meet the real North-West and the real Devonport.

“The families and individuals that come to the market, and those that seem to be expressing interest in the project, want to get involved not just in the homes but in the community activities that are going to be there.”

Mr Want said he believed the project would help alleviate the housing issues in the region.

“Demand for homes in the region is still really high here.

“We haven’t really had abatement in prices, rental costs or demand for specialist housing like aged care, NDIS or anything like that.

“We’re still having very high engagement with the community and specialist groups that want to bring housing to the site.

“We’ve still got a long line of people that are waiting, very patiently, for us to deliver homes on the site.”

While he did not provide an exact amount, Mr Want said he expected the number of homes on site to be in the hundreds.

The development is also expected to include parks, childcare services, a health precinct, offices, retail, community spaces and an “urban farm”.

When first conceived in 2019, the project was projected to cost around $75 million.

“Prices have obviously escalated a lot on the cost side, and we haven’t done a recalculation of it,” Mr Want said.

“It will be well in excess of $100 to $150 million; it could be even higher than that.”