Council green light for DEC sale

GLENORCHY aldermen have unanimously voted to try to sell the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

At a meeting of the city council last night, Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said al- dermen voted to advertise an intent to dispose of the DEC through a public consultation process.

“We also agreed that we would welcome expressions of interest during that public consultation process,” Ald Johnston said.

The council wants to sell the DEC, which suffered a $1,094,000 operating loss during 2016-17. Yesterday, the Mer

cury revealed Hydraplay, the consortium behind Tasmania’s hopes for an NBL side, had made an offer for the venue.

GLENORCHY City Council has unanimously voted to try sell the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

At a special meeting of the council last night, Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said aldermen voted to advertise the intent to dispose of DEC through a public consultation process.

“We also agreed that we would welcome expressions of interest during that public consultation process,” Ald Johnston said.

“Council will consider the submissions received and at a future council meeting we will then discuss those items and make a decision.

“The debate focused on the fact that the DEC was not core business for council.”

The council declared its desire to sell the DEC when it released its 2018-2019 budget, which reported an operational loss of $234,000 for the DEC in the 2016-17 financial year, while depreciation of the centre was recorded at $860,000 – a total cost of $1,094,000.

Yesterday, the Mercury revealed the Hydraplay consortium behind Tasmania’s hopes for a team in the national basketball league had made an offer for the DEC.

The consortium’s vision is to create a world-class sports and entertainment precinct, adjacent to Berriedale’s showpiece Mona.

The Hydraplay group, led by Justin Hickey, plans to immediately invest from $2 million to $4 million to bring the DEC up to NBL standards.

It is believed the group’s proposal includes a commitment to provide tens of millions of dollars over the next years to build a hotel, residential accommodation, cafe and restaurant and outdoor entertainment facilities that would make it the biggest investment in Glenorchy since Mona.

The Hydraplay offer was discussed at a closed session of last night’s meeting.

“Council has resolved to evaluate that bid, but again making the point that we are seeking and welcoming expressions of interest,” Ald Johnston said.

The council employs four permanent staff and 70 casual staff at the DEC.

“Staff are aware of the deliberations the council is making,” Ald Johnston said.

“We will make sure staff are managed during this process.”