Building in Stony Rise
Rural residential locality on Devonport's southern fringe — spacious lots, flat terrain, and a major new retail precinct under construction.
Devonport's Southern Fringe — Space, Flat Land, and City Access
Stony Rise is a rural residential locality on the southern fringe of Devonport with a population of 728 (ABS 2021, SAL60642), situated approximately 4 kilometres south of the Devonport CBD. It falls within the City of Devonport local government area under the Devonport City Local Provisions Schedule, which commenced on 18 November 2020. The locality occupies gently rolling to flat land between the Don River and the Bass Highway corridor — terrain that is generally favourable for new construction and offers generous lot sizes uncommon in Devonport's established inner suburbs.
Stony Rise has historically been an agricultural and semi-rural buffer zone south of Devonport's residential fringe. That character is shifting. In March 2026, construction commenced on the $60 million Stony Rise Village retail precinct — anchored by a Woolworths supermarket of approximately 4,000 square metres — which is expected to open in mid-2027. When complete, Stony Rise Village will bring major retail services to the locality's doorstep, fundamentally improving the convenience profile of the area for residents who currently access retail in Devonport's CBD or East Devonport. The development will materially improve walkable amenity and is expected to increase demand for residential land in the immediate surrounds.
The Don River forms part of the locality's western boundary. The Don River Railway — a heritage steam railway operating the historic 4.8-kilometre Coles Beach line — is accessible in the adjacent Don community, offering a notable recreational asset for families in the area. Devonport's full complement of services — Devonport High School and several primary schools, the Mersey Community Hospital, TAFE and university facilities, and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal — are all reachable within 15 minutes by car.
Davies has been building throughout northern and north-west Tasmania since 2009. Stony Rise is approximately 33 kilometres from our Sheffield base — around 30–35 minutes by road — well within our core Devonport service area. We understand the Devonport City planning framework and are experienced with the residential construction considerations that apply to this part of the Devonport region.
Why People Choose Stony Rise
$60M Retail Village Opening Mid-2027
Construction of the $60 million Stony Rise Village retail precinct commenced in March 2026, anchored by a 4,000 m² Woolworths supermarket. When complete in mid-2027, the precinct will deliver major grocery, specialty retail, and convenience services within walking distance for Stony Rise residents — a significant uplift in local amenity that has historically required a drive into central Devonport.
4 km to Devonport CBD
Stony Rise sits approximately 4 kilometres south of central Devonport — close enough to access the city's full range of services without the density and premium of established inner-city addresses. Devonport CBD, the Mersey Community Hospital, Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, TAFE, and the Don River estuary foreshore are all within a 15-minute drive from the locality's residential areas.
Generous Rural Residential Lots
Stony Rise's semi-rural character delivers lot sizes that are substantially larger than those found in Devonport's established residential suburbs. Generous allotments give homeowners space for larger building footprints, extensive outdoor living, garages and sheds, and landscaping — the kind of residential space that has become increasingly difficult to find in Devonport's inner suburbs without relocating to outer satellite towns.
Don River Corridor — Natural Amenity
The Don River forms the western boundary of Stony Rise, and the heritage Don River Railway operates along the Don River corridor adjacent to the locality. Walking and cycling access along the riverine environment provides a natural recreational asset. The Don River mouth at Coles Beach — accessible via the heritage railway or by road — offers a coastal recreational outlet a short distance from Stony Rise's residential streets.
Flat, Buildable Terrain
Unlike many parts of Devonport's hillside fringe or Launceston's surrounding topography, Stony Rise's terrain is generally flat to gently undulating. Flat land reduces earthworks and siting costs, simplifies subfloor design, and typically produces lower foundation costs compared with sloping or stepped sites. For budget-conscious builds, Stony Rise's terrain is a genuine practical advantage over the hillside sites that dominate the surrounding NW coast region.
Proximity to Devonport Schools and Services
Families in Stony Rise can access several Devonport primary schools within a short drive, with Devonport High School serving secondary students. The Mersey Community Hospital is accessible in Devonport. Sports grounds, Devonport's performing arts facilities, and the region's shopping and dining precinct are all reachable in under 15 minutes. Stony Rise provides a semi-rural residential character without isolating residents from the urban services that day-to-day family life depends on.
What to Know About Building in Stony Rise
Stony Rise falls within the City of Devonport local government area. The council administers the Tasmanian Planning Scheme — Devonport City Local Provisions Schedule, which commenced on 18 November 2020. Building permits are lodged with and assessed by City of Devonport. Key considerations for prospective builders in Stony Rise:
- Confirm the specific zone and any overlay status for your allotment via PlanBuild Tasmania's enquiry service or LISTmap before purchase. The Devonport City LPS has introduced changes to zone boundaries and overlay maps relative to earlier planning schemes, and the zone applicable to individual lots in the Stony Rise area can vary.
- The western boundary of Stony Rise is near the Don River corridor. Lots in proximity to the river or its tributaries may be subject to a Flood-Prone Area or Waterway overlay under the Devonport City LPS. Flood overlay status can vary significantly at the individual lot level — always check via PlanBuild Tasmania's enquiry service or LISTmap before purchase, and discuss floor level requirements with a building certifier before design commences if an overlay applies.
- Stony Rise's generally flat terrain reduces earthworks and siting costs relative to hillside sites. However, soil conditions should be assessed via a geotechnical report as part of pre-design investigation — localised variation in soil type and bearing capacity occurs across the Devonport region and can influence footing design and cost.
- Most residential lots in Stony Rise are connected to reticulated water services. Sewerage service availability varies by lot location — some lots in the rural residential fringe may require an on-site wastewater system. Confirm water and sewer connection availability with TasWater and City of Devonport before purchase.
- The Stony Rise Village retail development — a $60 million precinct anchored by Woolworths and currently under construction — is expected to open mid-2027. This development may influence local traffic patterns on adjacent roads. Council infrastructure contributions or road-frontage requirements for new residential development in the immediate precinct should be confirmed with City of Devonport.
- Davies is approximately 33 kilometres from Stony Rise from our Sheffield base — around 30–35 minutes by road. We build throughout the Devonport region and are familiar with the City of Devonport planning framework as it applies to semi-rural and residential fringe development.
For buyers seeking a semi-rural residential address within practical distance of Devonport's full range of services — and who want to build on flat, generous land before the Stony Rise Village precinct opens and the surrounding area attracts further development interest — Stony Rise represents a well-positioned opportunity.
Davies Projects in the Region
Our portfolio spans the north-west coast and greater Launceston — custom homes, high-performance builds, and award-winning residential projects designed for the Tasmanian climate.
Stony Rise Building FAQ
What is Stony Rise like to live in?+
How much does it cost to build in Stony Rise?+
What are the planning requirements for building in Stony Rise?+
Does Davies Design & Construction build in Stony Rise?+
Also building in
North-West Coast & Hinterland
Tamar Valley & Launceston
Midlands & East Coast
Southern Tasmania