Mayor says ‘positive’ meeting held between Glenorchy City Council and consortium over DEC sale
GLENORCHY City Council and the Southern Huskies consortium continue negotiations over the sale of the Derwent Entertainment Centre.
Tasmania
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GLENORCHY City Council and the Southern Huskies consortium are in deep negotiations over the sale of the Derwent Entertainment Centre with a deal possible within weeks.
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the council’s negotiating team had met with the Hydraplay consortium, which is behind Tasmania’s bid for a team in the NBL and the only interested buyer.
“Our negotiating team had a meeting with Hydraplay consortium last week and we are now waiting for the outcome of that meeting,” he said.
Ald Johnston described it as a positive meeting as both parties work through the issues identified.
“There is no real stumbling block but we are trying to get clarification on the package and deal,” she said.
“It’s not necessarily the value but the proposal.”
Ald Johnston was hopeful the DEC deal would go before the council this month or next.
In July, the council announced it was putting the cash-draining DEC – which cost ratepayers more than $1.1 million last year – on the market.
MORE:
GREEN LIGHT FROM COUNCIL FOR DEC SALE
CONSORTIUM TO PUSH FOR DEC PURCHASE
EDITORIAL: DERWENT DEAL WORTH A SHOT
Last month, the bankrollers of the consortium – former basketballer Justin Hickey and business partner Mike Sutton – accused the council of “radio silence” over the matter.
Ald Johnston said the council at the time could not hold any discussions regarding the DEC sale until it was certain no objections had been lodged to the Resource Management and Planning Tribunal about the proposed sale.
Mr Hickey and Mr Sutton have pledged to immediately spend $4 million to bring the outdated DEC up to international standard, part of an overall $80-$90 million investment to transform the area into a sport and entertainment precinct.
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