President’s Message

Winter has arrived, and with it a moment to pause and take stock after a massive month for business and industry. The past few weeks have been a strong reminder of what’s possible when our business community shows up and leans in.

After the Federal Budget being presented earlier in the month, on 22 May we hosted a sold‑out Tasmanian Government Budget Roadshow Dinner at The Cove. It was a special night. The setting was beautiful, but what really stood out was what was on the table, produce sourced from across our region. We don’t always say it out loud, but what we have here is genuinely world‑class and it was a pleasure to host many special guests including the Premier and Treasurer of Tasmania among others.

The Tasmanian Business Conference, #TBC26 last week, exceeded even our own expectations. Walking into paranaple Convention Centre and seeing Tasmanians from every corner of business connecting, challenging each other and investing in shared thinking is something we won’t forget. Connection is Key could easily have been a slogan. In that room, it was real. I’ve since heard from people who attend conferences regularly that it was the best they’ve been to.

The momentum continued. This week I attended the Tasmanian Energy Conference, which reinforced something I’ve been thinking for a while now, the opportunities ahead for Tasmanian small business are exciting. The energy conversation is shifting, it’s no longer only about cost and constraint, but increasingly about possibility.

And speaking of energy, our membership continues to grow. In just the past few weeks, six new businesses have joined the DCCI community. That matters. When businesses choose to invest in their Chamber, it’s a vote of confidence in what we’re building together. To our newest members, welcome. You’ve joined us at a great time.

Looking ahead, there are two upcoming events I’d really encourage you to prioritise.

Copilot for Business with NBN Co & Microsoft on 26 June will be one of the most practical conversations we’ve had about AI and technology this year, cutting through the noise and focusing on real‑world application. If TBC26 moved the AI discussion into practical territory, this will take it a step further.

On the advocacy front, our Red Tape Reduction Roundtable is a chance to be heard where it counts. If regulation is creating friction in your business, we want to understand it and take that experience directly to decision‑makers.

There is something quietly special happening in Devonport right now. I see it in the calibre of conversations, in the doors opening, in the businesses choosing to join our network, and in the members who continue to show up, curious, committed and generous with their ideas.

Thank you for being part of it. I look forward to connecting again soon.

Our Vision

Devonport, the preferred regional City in Tasmania for investment.

Media Releases

BUSINESS COALITION OPPOSE NEW EASTER SUNDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Welcome to our Newest Members

Welcome to our latest members! We are thrilled to have a diverse range of members from various sectors joining our growing network. With over 180 businesses and individuals represented, we aim to ensure our ideas and opinions are well-informed and truly reflective of the business community.

Recent Events

Upcoming Events

DCCI Business & Brew with NBN Co & Microsoft | 26 June 2026

Copilot for Business Workshop

With thanks to NBN Co, DCCI presents a practical session with Microsoft exploring Copilot for Business.

This session is designed to help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft Copilot to work smarter, boost productivity, and spark creativity. You will discover how Copilot can support your daily tasks, from writing and analysis to communication and idea generation, across the Microsoft 365 apps you already use.

What You Will Learn

Introduction to Copilot: Understand what Copilot is, how it works, and why it matters in today’s workplace.
Copilot in Action: Explore practical uses across Microsoft 365 apps, including:
Word and PowerPoint: Draft documents, create presentations, and develop content quickly and confidently.
Excel: Analyse data, generate reports, and uncover insights with ease.
Outlook and Teams: Summarise emails, prepare for meetings, and communicate more effectively.
Prompting Best Practices: Learn how to craft effective prompts to get high-quality outputs tailored to your audience and goals.
By the end of this session, you will be equipped with practical skills and strategies to make Copilot a valuable partner in your everyday work, no matter your role or experience level.

Cost: Tickets start from just $25 (members), $35 (non-members)

Time: 7.15am for 7.30am – 9.00am

Where: paranaple Convention Centre, Devonport

Registration included a light shared style breakfast along with tea and coffee.

RSVP: Registrations close 5.00pm, Monday, 22 June 2026.

Enquiries to mail@dcci.org.au

Other News

Spirit Readiness Workshop

The arrival of the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels this October signifies a step-change for the Tasmanian tourism industry, heralding a new era of sea travel for this state.

As operators delivering the products, services and experiences to the visitors these new vessels will deliver, it’s important you are as updated and informed about the opportunity on our doorstep and how you might be able to make the most of it.

The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania in partnership with the Spirit of Tasmania and West by North West are inviting you to join us in a series of interactive workshops where we will learn together and prepare.

What can you expect?

• An interactive two-hour workshop hosted and facilitated by West by North West.
• An in-depth update from Spirit of Tasmania on the new ships, the visitor experience, and the go-to market strategy
• An overview from Tourism Tasmania on the types of visitors who will travel on the new vessels including their travel and spending patterns
• A strategic update from the TICT about the planning underway to ensure the new vessels are maximised across the entire visitor economy, as well as key take-outs from operators already having success in the self-drive/caravan/motorhome market
• An interactive session where operators can ask questions of Spirit of Tasmania and ideas can be shared about how industry can work alongside the company to ensure the benefits are maximised across the entire visitor economy.

Why attend?

• You’ll be more updated and informed about this important infrastructure contribution to the visitor economy
• You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions about how it might impact your region and business
• You will leave feeling inspired about how you can leverage from the opportunity on our doorstep.

Register Here

Ready to start or grow your business with My Pathway

The Self-Employment Assistance Program is a government-funded initiative designed to support your small business journey. The best part – there are no fee’s.

So what’s on offer?

Exploring Self Employment Workshop

These interactive, week-long online workshops empower participants to refine and advance their business ideas, featuring expert-led sessions on Business Start Up.

Small Business Training

Provides access to free accredited training. Choose between short courses or more comprehensive Certificate III or IV courses in Entrepreneurship and New Business.

Business Plan Development

Provides support in preparing or updating your business plan to drive growth and improvement, including a two cash flow forecast.

Business Advice Sessions

Offers tailored advice on a range of topics such as staff recruitment, digital marketing, product development, and innovation. You can access two 1 hour sessions per year.

Business Health Checks

Helps existing businesses identify opportunities to enhance their commercial viability, including approaches to support development and growth in one 3 hour session.

Small Business Coaching

Provides 12 months of one-on-one business mentoring, offering ongoing support to work through challenges, brainstorm ideas, set clear goals, and sharpen your business strategy while spotting ways to manage risks.

For more information

Phone 1800 319 588

For More Information

Construction Starts on Tipalea’s $60M Devonport Retail Centre

Construction on Tipalea Partners’ brand-new $60 million Stony Rise Village has officially commenced, and Devonport locals can expect to be shopping in the next-generation retail centre by mid-2027.

The milestone was celebrated with a soil turning ceremony onsite today, attended by the Honourable Jeremy Rockliff MP Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Felix Ellis MP, Cr. Alison Jarman Mayor of Devonport and Marcus Perkins, General Manager – Fairbrother Northern Tasmania.

“Stony Rise Village is a major investment in Devonport’s future. A $60 million project delivering over 1,200 employment opportunities, this is exactly the kind of thoughtful, community-focused development we want to see in Devonport,” said Cr. Jarman.

“This new centre sends a clear message: Devonport is growing, it’s open for business, and it has confidence in its future. Developments like Stony Rise Village generate far more than retail jobs. The flow-on benefits across construction, transport, manufacturing and food services will support businesses right across the region,” she said.

Stony Rise Village is set to bring everyday convenience and enhanced competition to the region. It has a prominent location adjacent to the Homemaker Centre on the corner of Stony Rise Road and Friend Street in Stony Rise.

The 6,300-square-metre retail hub is anchored by Woolworths, opening its largest supermarket in Tasmania’s north-west. It will also house a national Chemist’s first superstore in the region. A range of other specialty retailers including medical services, takeaway food and beauty services will
complete the innovative centre’s offering.

“We are so excited to break ground on the site and celebrate Fairbrother starting construction on Stony Rise Village. It has been a journey to get to this point. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had so far from both the community, Council and State political leaders – not to mention the outstanding results from our pre-leasing campaign,” said Scott Spanton, CEO of Tipalea Partners.

Leasing commitments have already reached 70%, reflecting confidence in the region, backed by the robust population growth in Stony Rise and Miandetta.

“We are proud come together with Tipalea and other stakeholders and celebrate the official start of construction onsite at Stony Rise Village. This project also unlocks much-needed training opportunities through excited to be a part of the development and looking forward to successfully General Manager – Fairbrother Northern Tasmania.

With construction soon to be underway, Fairbrother will be focused on site
establishment and installing inground services. The contractor will then move on to structural works with inground footings, foundations, and building the precast structure for the shopping centre complex. Stony Rise Village is set to be the most technologically advanced neighbourhood centre in the North West. It will feature EV charging stations, weather station, free Wi-Fi, wireless charging stations, CCTV throughout, car counters and duress intercoms. It will also introduce a range of contemporary retail design features not seen before in Devonport – including a modern and welcoming parents’ room, abundant and convenient parking with shade sails, drive-through Click & Collect, leading-edge technology and security, safe pedestrian access, separate truck and loading access, and engaging public art.

Parking spaces are generously sized with double lines on both sides with
dedicated parking for elderly, parents with prams and RVs. Spaces for Taxis
and Uber food delivery bays will also be provided. Tipalea Partners has been investing and creating jobs in Tasmania for over 15 years. It has successfully developed neighbourhood retail centres across Australia in locations such as Mackay in Queensland, Pimpama on the Gold Coast, Muswellbrook in the NSW Hunter Valley and Howrah, Kingston and Launceston in Tasmania.