Glenorchy City Council is one step closer to becoming the premier sporting and entertainment hub for Tasmania, following Council’s endorsement of the Glenorchy Park Masterplan, at its February meeting on Monday night. This comes after a lengthy community and stakeholder consultation period.
The hub includes MyState Bank Arena (formerly Derwent Entertainment Centre), Elwick Racecourse, KGV Precinct, Hobart Showgrounds and Wilkinsons Point and has the potential to be one of Tasmania’s major sporting and entertainment precincts.
The endorsed masterplan draws inspiration from similar precincts around Australia, such as Albert Park in Melbourne and Moore Park in Sydney.
It envisages Glenorchy Park as a well-connected, thriving and vibrant precinct that delivers sport, entertainment, tourism and cultural facilities for the community and broader region, and a city-defining brand.
Mayor of Glenorchy, Bec Thomas, said the potential of the site was enormous, and welcomed potential investment in the city and its job creating potential.
“With more than $150 million of investment coming into the Glenorchy Park area, we want to make sure the people of Glenorchy can enjoy all the benefits it offers,” Mayor Thomas said.
“Through this Masterplan we will see more jobs, better connections to our beloved Montrose Bay foreshore and access to incredible facilities and open spaces to work and play.”
By articulating the vision and connectivity, the masterplan will also help promote future investment in our City’s region-defining recreational facilities.
The prime location of the precinct, adjacent to the Glenorchy CBD and Derwent River foreshore is perfect to take advantage of public transport options and ease of access to the Greater Hobart Region.
Among the actions in the masterplan are proposals for innovative solutions to event parking and public transport, safer accessible pedestrian linkages between facilities so people can go from one event to another or visit adjoining restaurants and cafes.
The masterplan allows for the development of a Visitor Accommodation Strategy so people can ‘stay and play’ in the precinct and encourages a ferry link between Mona and Wilkinsons Point that connects with other Hobart destinations.
Following adoption of the Masterplan, stakeholder engagement will continue, while funding opportunities, future development opportunities and infrastructure needs will be identified through the development of an implementation plan.
The development of a Special Area Plan for the precinct will also be considered at a later date.