Identifying and refining Cityprom’s priorities in a rapidly changing Launceston is the first goal of the organisation’s new executive officer.
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Steve Henty, the general manager of Junction Arts Festival, is taking on the job and is excited to explore Cityprom’s strategic direction for the next decade.
“The big thing that drew me towards the role was that Launceston is very much in a big period of change at the moment and CityProm are looking to change and restructure from where they have come from,” Mr Henty said.
“We’ve got an enagaged board that are looking to work together to collaborate with other organisations to really leverage all of the great aspects of Launceston.”
With the university move to Inveresk, the City Deal and City Heart there are a number of organisations and groups trying to create a more vibrant, cultural and entrepreneurial regional city, he said.
“They are all trying to get somewhere and there is a destination in mind, so it’s about each organisation taking a hold of the part that they play and working as a team,” Mr Henty said.
Sympathetically holding onto the city’s historical foundations is vital while moving forward, according to Mr Henty.
Another focus is embracing the river and looking to examples like the Yarra and how it engages people in Melbourne.
Launceston is very much in a big period of change at the moment.
- Steven Henty
“What we need to be getting ready for looking forward is how to make sure that North Bank doesn't become isolated and how do we make sure that the Inveresk precinct doesn’t become isolated, how do we make sure it flows,” he said.
“I don’t think [the North Bank development and UTAS move] dilute the city centre, what it does is create more catchment for greater flow through people moving in the city and where they are coming from.
“We’ve got the silos being built, a North Bank precinct about people and space, a bridge to get people across into the water front, the CH Smith building being done and becoming a greater pedestrian point and then you have flow through that side of the city into the centre in amongst Charles Street.”
This new movement flow throughout the city will help to build opportunities for retailers and local businesses and should be supported, Mr Henty said.
The other key for prolonged change is the strength of the community.
“The things that are driven by community really achieve, you look at local theatre scene, they can fill houses with the local amateur theatre production … it’s a great production and it’s filled because people really take ownership of it,” he said.