NBL boss’s grand $200 million DEC vision receives early support

There is still plenty of negotiating ahead, but NBL boss Larry Kestelman’s bold masterplan for the DEC and surrounds has been given an initial tick of approval.

Wilkinson Point, including the Derwent Entertainment Centre, would be transformed under a masterplan by NBL owner Larry Kestelman.

THE Glenorchy Ratepayers Association has given a cautious thumbs up to NBL owner Larry Kestelman’s masterplan for the Derwent Entertainment Centre and Wilkinsons Point.

As revealed by the Mercury, Mr Kestelman’s $200 million plan for the lifestyle precinct includes a major upgrade of the DEC as well as a high-performance centre, indoor sports facility, hotel, restaurants, retail shopping and increased public transport links.

Association president Phil Butler said Mr Kestelman’s vision was in keeping with the council’s long-term plan with the under-utilised area.

“It looks very positive, it certainly touches on most of the points that have been in the visionary statement that we developed over a number of years,” Mr Butler said.

“Obviously the devil is in the detail but from what I’ve seen of the proposal thus far, it certainly goes a long way to achieving the vision.

“We need to test it against the planning scheme, but conceptually it looks pretty good.

“Aesthetics is obviously of interest, but we are happy there is preservation of the foreshore and GASP [Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park] and the access road through the site will remain in public hands so it touches those bases pretty nicely.

“And it would seem from the concept plans it would bookend the Mona development very nicely as well, the two points either side of Elwick Bay.”

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Glenorchy Ratepayers Association president Phil Butler has given a cautious approval to the masterplan.

Central to the Mr Kestelman’s proposal is State Government funding for the redevelopment of the DEC to bring it up to NBL standard, with the league owner saying he would not progress without this support.

Early estimates have had this at $20 million, but State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson said negotiations were continuing about how much state funding would be required.

“It is too early for that but we are certainly involved in some really good discussions,” Mr Ferguson said.

“There are some exciting opportunities here but the Government will be taking a careful approach to make sure any potential use of taxpayer money would only be if it was a very good value proposition.”

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said negotiations over the sale of the DEC and Wilkinsons Point were progressing well, as demonstrated by Mr Kestelman producing his long-term vision for the site.

She said his masterplan would need an amendment to the council’s planning scheme before going to the Glenorchy Planning Authority and then the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

She said the 120-day exclusive negotiation timeframe over the sale with Mr Kestelman would expire next month, but the council had the option of extending it if an acceptable outcome had not been reached by then.