A bigger Devonport needed: DCCI chief

DEVONPORT desperately needs more people, business leader Stacey Sheehan says.

She is optimistic Devonport’s big Living City makeover will help it get there, by driving jobs, visitor and population growth and improving livability.

‘’… at least 30,000 seems to give you that critical mass of people where a good variety of services is available and sustainable,’’ the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry president said.

‘’You need a good entertainment precinct, food and shops and nightlife … it speaks to the livability of the place.’’

While Devonport remains the region’s biggest population centre, its population has been declining.

The municipality had 25,533 people on June 30, the Australian Bureau of Staistics estimated.

That was a decline of more than 200 in four years.

The DCCI’s 2030 discussion paper released last year supports increasing Devonport’s population to 30,000 by 2030.

‘’It’s a lovely place to stay and once Living City is up … it adds an extra layer,’’ Ms Sheehan said.

‘’It’s transitioning a small regional town to a vibrant regional city; I think that’s what Living City will achieve.’’

Ms Sheehan, the principal of Collins Real Estate, said it was known tourists enjoying their time in a place led to investment in real estate and, hopefully, to population growth over time.

’’Everyone loves Tassie, but we all know it’s the jobs,’’ she said.

‘’For example, in professional services, if it’s not medicine what’s available?

‘’With the NBN roll-out, who knows?

‘’It could be very easy to base yourself on the Coast.

‘’In terms of livability, Devonport is far superior to Launceston and Hobart.’’

She referred particularly to climate, saying she had met people saying they were ‘’climate refugees’’.

’’The North-West Coast is just a jewel waiting to be discovered in terms of lifestyle.’’

Mr Sheehan said the area’s strong tourist numbers appeared to be translating into retail sales.

Chinese tourists, for example, tended to use the Google Translate service on their mobile phones to help them communicate in the stores and to get around.

Ms Sheehan expected retail jobs growth over time as stronger business confidence became embedded.

‘’Living City has given everyone a good dose of confidence things can come together and be delivered,’’ she said.

Source: https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3841556/a-bigger-devonport-needed-dcci-chief/