Tasmania’s Devonport City Council is progressing the next stage of its long-term CBD transformation, with a plan that creates two strategic development opportunities in the city’s heart.
The plan includes a new commercial building with office and retail offerings along with a high-end multi-level residential apartment complex above multi-level public carparking.
Designed to reshape the vehicle dominated area near the existing cinema complex into a vibrant and people focused precinct, with strong connections into the existing retail areas, the plan will create quality public space to complement the CBD and broader LIVING CITY investments.
Mayor, Alison Jarman said the next stage of the development builds directly on the strategy that has shaped Devonport since 2013.
“Over more than a decade, LIVING CITY has delivered the paranaple centre, transformed our waterfront, and helped drive private-sector momentum across the CBD. Releasing this plan for what is really the traditional heart of our CBD is the next logical step in creating a connected, activated and future focused city centre,” said Mayor Jarman.
The next stage includes:
- Strengthening the connection between the city and the Mersey River;
- Creating vibrant civic and commercial destinations;
- Stimulating private investment;
- Strengthening pedestrian networks and public spaces
Dubbed the Formby Road Urban Renewal Study, the most recent work by Council outlines a concept plan to further deliver on the LIVING CITY vision, anchored by:
- Major new infill mixed-use development, including the potential to support a substantial new office space and commercial development, along with residential opportunities aligned to long-term growth needs of the City;
- A new urban plaza, creating an interface for the new development parcels with key connections into the established CBD retail and services precincts, and providing a social meeting space for the community and visitors to the City;
- Future Activation opportunities, by supporting the transformation of existing “back-of-house” areas to address the newly activated precinct, improving safety and strengthening intuitive wayfinding within the CBD.
Identified in the Formby Road Urban Renewal Study as Parcel A and Parcel B, are the two opportunities Council have identified for private investment. The land parcels are located within the heart of the city centre, and connect the Rooke Street Mall, Stewart and Best Streets, and Formby Road and represent some of the most significant inner-city development opportunities within the redevelopment plan.
Capacity analysis undertaken by Council shows the two parcels can support:
- Parcel A: 5,500-6,500m2 GFA (basement level car parking with 4+ levels of office and complimentary commercial development above);
- Parcel B: 6,000–7,000 m2 GFA (2-3 levels of public parking capacity with 4+ levels of residential accommodation above)
The Mall and nearby retailers are expected to benefit significantly from the increased foot traffic generated by the new developments and the improved public amenity, said the Mayor.
“With new residential apartments and office space, the whole vibrancy of the area will change, from what is currently a fairly tired back-of-house carparking area into an attractive space with new public amenities and direct links through the Arcades to the existing shopping areas,” she said.
“CBD retailers will see a real boost in daily activity and importantly public carparking will be retained within the precinct.”
The plan aims to capture the growing demand for quality high-end apartments in Devonport, further expanding a move towards increased inner-city living.
“With uninterrupted views to the mouth of the Mersey River, the site provides one of the few opportunities for high end CBD apartments with waterfront views. I’ve got no doubt they will attract a lot of interest, particularly given the growing demand for real estate in the region,” said Mayor Jarman.
Council does not intend to fund or develop the two strategic land parcels within the plan but rather is seeking private investment and is keen to talk with developers and tenants who may wish to get involved.
The Council unanimously endorsed a Notice of Motion from Deputy Mayor, Stacey Sheehan, last year which focussed on the reinvigoration of the key CBD site, and has included several related actions within its adopted 2025/26 Annual Plan.
Council Officers will be engaging with local business operators and property owners to provide specific information in relation to the precinct analysis undertaken to date, expected development outcomes, further stages of planning and design investigation to be undertaken, and capture initial feedback and input into the plan.
