Stacey Sheehan Reveals Plans for Devonport’s Future Growth

Why this deputy mayor says constant change is vital for the city's future

The North-West's biggest city should always have something in the pipeline for the next generation, says the deputy mayor planning to recontest the role.

Real estate firm boss Stacey Sheehan said her goals for Devonport included more CBD development to consolidate the Living City vision.

"As a former DCCI (Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry) president who worked on Living City in its early stages, I understand first hand how hard it is to do anything after years of stagnation," Cr Sheehan said.

Devonport deputy mayor Stacey Sheehan, who will re-contest the position in the October elections. Picture by Phillip Biggs

The extensive urban renewal program had vocal opponents and doubters, especially in its early stages.

"The naysayers' negativity can be overwhelming, so I think we need to ensure, as we roll out new services and infrastructure at a sensible pace, there's always something in the pipeline, particularly for the next generation," Cr Sheehan said.

"For Devonport, change should be the only constant as we harness all the opportunities this region has to offer."

Cr Sheehan said local government's role was to make life easier for residents, providing service delivery that worked and was value for money.

"With a city the size of Devonport, there's an extra layer, which is economic development," she said.

"The Living City vision is to build a city where business and industry can thrive and provide stable employment.

"We have a huge opportunity that's been given to us with the port expansion and we need to work hard to ensure we have the tourism infrastructure to capture those extra dollars."

Cr Sheehan said seizing opportunities from increased visitor numbers once the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries started operations should be a key council focus.

She said ways to do that included:

* Getting the Don River Railway onto the main line
* Continuing to push for delivery of the Devonport Airport Master Plan
* Growing the city's events calendar

Cr Sheehan said she had advocated for a full-time business development manager to work to secure more events at the paranaple Centre, "so we are regionally seen as the conference destination of choice in the North-West".

The business development manager would have a dedicated, specialist role to "source conference income".

Cr Sheehan said she was not running for mayor because she also had a business to run "and I don't think I can do both adequately at the moment".

She was positive about her working relationship with mayor Alison Jarman, who will recontest the role.

"A lot of people have commented that we bring very different skills to the table," Cr Sheehan said.

"Between us, we've got most things covered."

Source: The Advocate — “Stacey Sheehan reveals plans for Devonport’s future growth”

(https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/9328908/stacey-sheehan-reveals-plans-for-devonports-future-growth/)