Glenorchy CBD is the main commercial centre for the LGA. It is centrally located within the city and contains three large shopping centres (Northgate, Centro Glenorchy and Glenorchy Plaza), as well as specialty shops within the older shopfronts. It contains important government facilities and services such as council chambers, Centrelink and Medicare services, regional health facilities, the public library, migrant resource centre as well as a bus exchange. Significant recreational facilities include the swimming pool, KGV and the Glenorchy Recreation Ground (Eady Street) nearby.
It is the most blended of the three activity centres in terms of residential, commercial, and industrial lands, noting that it is at risk of losing its CBD status to Moonah. Population growth in and around the centre is much higher than the Glenorchy LGA average and about double the rate of Greater Hobart. This level of growth suggests that the centre will potentially be well serviced by a growing population catchment. Much of the growth is set to occur with residents aged 65+, with a much higher concentration than Greater Hobart.
Further out but still within 400 m of the CBD is other key public infrastructure that has potential to increase visitation into the CBD, including Cosgrove High School, Guilford Young College, Glenorchy Primary School and Glenview; within 800 m of the CBD is GASP, Montrose Foreshore Community Park and Wilkinsons Point.
Glenorchy CBD is expected to diversify away from being a traditional retail centre to a broader service centre aligned with its primary activity centre function. Key employment industries emerging are in health, accommodation and food services, rental services, and professional services. This shift in employment industries is happening at a faster rate than the Greater Hobart average.
Moonah has a gritty character with laneways and shop allotments defined by front of house and back of house. The original title boundaries and density of the strip shopping remains evident and defines this precinct. This character is enhanced by the many developed fine-grain connections and urban character reminiscent of larger, denser cities.
The adjacent New Town area in the City of Hobart contains two major public high schools which attract people into the broader area. New Town also contains other shopping facilities including Kmart and two major supermarkets which complement the range of services in Moonah. Given the close proximity between the two areas there are likely to be important economic and social connections.
Moonah has a high street character and is a recognised creative art location. The edges of the precinct and surrounding area have a focus on commercial and industrial activity.
There are a growing number of jobs and working families and young people moving into the local area, and consequently Moonah is experiencing the greatest level of change, involving a shift away from its industrial base and more towards a population-based centre, with a specialised health and education focus.
There are, however, substantial areas within 400 m and 800 m of the precinct area that prohibit residential use (such as the Commercial and Light Industrial zones under the Glenorchy Interim Planning Scheme 2015) and job-generating activities that contribute to urban densities.
This is a key strategic issue given that the population in and around the Moonah activity centre is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 6.2% through to 2036, which is significantly higher than the Glenorchy LGA and Greater Hobart growth rates.
Claremont is the northernmost of the three precincts. A key feature is Claremont Plaza, an 8,000 sqm single-supermarket shopping centre with some speciality shops primarily along Main Road. The intercity cycleway ends at the Claremont precinct.
Claremont is surrounded by a growing working family and elderly resident demographic, and the precinct is positioned as a neighbourhood centre serving its local community. Unique to Claremont is the ‘village green’ (Claremont Recreation Ground) bounded by Main Road, the intercity cycleway and Box Hill Road. It contains a playground, men’s shed and Girl Guide hall.
In 2016, the population around the Claremont activity centre was estimated to be approximately 119 residents. This is expected to double to 261 by 2036. While this level of growth is substantially higher than in Greater Glenorchy and Greater Hobart, it is off a very small base.
Due to the smaller population, it is difficult to be certain about the future demographic. Almost all future growth is likely to occur within the ages of 18-65 and 65+. Claremont already has a much older demographic than the Glenorchy LGA and Greater Hobart.
Residents aged 65+ made up about 44.6% in 2016, compared to about 18% in the Glenorchy LGA and Greater Hobart. By 2036, this is expected to grow to almost 47.9%, which is approximately 28% higher than Greater Glenorchy and Greater Hobart.
Like the Glenorchy CBD and Moonah precincts, Claremont is experiencing greater growth within population-serving industries, with total growth through to 2036 predicted to be 40.2%. Like Moonah, it has a higher contribution from industrial jobs than the Glenorchy CBD, at 21.9%, which primarily arises from the nearby Cadbury’s chocolate factory.