Derwent Park is a residential locality in the local government area (LGA) of Glenorchy in the

Hobart Hobart ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly hal ...

LGA region of

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

. The locality is about east of the town of Glenorchy. The 2021 census recorded a population of 872 for the state suburb of Derwent Park. It is a suburb of

. Derwent Park is predominantly a light commercial and industrial area, historically and contemporarily home to major manufacturing industries.

History

Derwent Park was gazetted as a locality in 1961. The name is derived from a property established in the area about 1820.

Industry and Manufacturing

Derwent Park has played a significant role in Tasmania’s manufacturing sector. The area was historically home to the Small Arms Ammunition Factory's Ammunition Factory Derwent Park, Sanitarium Health Foods, and Sheridan, a

textile Textile is an Hyponymy and hypernymy, umbrella term that includes various Fiber, fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, Staple (textiles)#Filament fiber, filaments, Thread (yarn), threads, and different types of #Fabric, fabric. ...

manufacturer producing high-quality bedding and home textiles. Sheridan operated in Derwent Park for several decades, contributing to the local economy and employment. In contemporary times, Derwent Park remains a hub for industrial activities. The shipbuilder Incat operates at Prince of Wales Bay, adjacent to Derwent Park, and is globally recognised for its innovative wave-piercing catamarans. The company has built high-speed ferries and naval vessels that serve international and domestic markets, cementing Tasmania’s reputation as a leader in maritime engineering. Other significant industrial operations in the area include advanced manufacturing, food processing, and logistics businesses that continue to support employment and economic growth.

Smelter contamination

The Risdon Zinc Works (trading as Nyrstar Hobart) at nearby Lutana, which has been in operation since 1917, continues to produce heavy metal contaminants affecting the air, land and estuary waters surrounding Greater Hobart. Drawing from data compiled in the National Pollutant Inventory, a report by the Australian Conservation Foundation placed Hobart at number six among Australia's most polluted cities in 2018. The data identified medium levels of

air pollution Air pollution is the presence of substances in the Atmosphere of Earth, air that are harmful to humans, other living beings or the environment. Pollutants can be Gas, gases like Ground-level ozone, ozone or nitrogen oxides or small particles li ...

in postcodes 7009 (Derwent Park, Lutana, Moonah, West Moonah) and 7010 ( Glenorchy, Rosetta, Montrose, Goodwood, Dowsing Point) with average air contaminant readings of 40% (

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() and

nitrogen dioxide Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula . One of several nitrogen oxides, nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas. It is a paramagnetic, bent molecule with C2v point group symmetry. Industrially, is an intermediate in the s ...

()), and

sulfur dioxide Sulfur dioxide (IUPAC-recommended spelling) or sulphur dioxide (traditional Commonwealth English) is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless gas with a pungent smell that is responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is r ...

(SO₂) contributing 57% of airborne emissions.

Geography

The waters of the River Derwent and Prince of Wales Bay form the northern boundary.

Road infrastructure

National Route 1 ( Brooker Highway) runs through from north-west to south-east.

References