Devonport urban renewal project given another leg up as Braddon by-election day draws near

THE Federal Government has given Devonport’s Living City project a leg up, investing $10 million into the final $55 million stage which will see a marina, hotel and elevated walkway near the Mersey River.

Nationals senator Steve Martin, left, actin Devonport mayor Annette Rockliff, Braddon Liberal candidate Brett Whiteley, Liberal senator Richard Colbeck and deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack studying the Living City plans. Picture: GRANT WELLS

THE Federal Government has given Devonport’s Living City project another leg up investing $10 million into the final $55 million waterside stage, which will see parks, a marina, hotel and apartment complex and elevated walkway built near the Mersey River.

The Devonport City Council is also providing $5 million for the waterside development while the $40 million hotel complex is being privately developed.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Living City project was the biggest urban renewal project ever undertaken in regional Tasmania.

“Tasmania’s North-West is a thriving regional economy and we want to back its plan to keep growing businesses, creating more jobs and more opportunities for locals,” Mr Turnbull said.

The Living City Master Plan was adopted by the council in 2014.

Already, an 800-seat convention centre, which will also become the home of Devonport’s library and Service Tasmania office, is under construction along with a providore marketplace and a dining and live entertainment hub.

On site yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Tasmanian Nationals Senator Steve Martin had secured the funding from Canberra. The Living City project was Mr Martin’s pet project when he was Devonport mayor.

“This is a game-changing project for regional Tasmania and will realise council’s long-held vision to open the central business district to the river attracting tourists as well as benefiting locals,” Mr McCormack said.

More than 433,000 ferry passengers arrived in Devonport on the Mersey River in 2017-2018 and the city wants more to turn right and come into the CBD, instead of following the Bass Highway towards Launceston.

Acting Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said the waterfront precinct was the final piece in the city’s urban renewal puzzle.

“We certainly welcome the Federal Government's $10 million commitment to the second stage after its initial contribution of $10 million to stage one,” Ald Rockliff said.

“Bring it on!”