ABC News Story – Emily Baker, 15 February 2022
UTAS campus move from Sandy Bay into Hobart CBD opposed by group calling for consultation
A group opposed to the University of Tasmania’s plans to relocate to Hobart’s CBD has launched a petition asking the city’s council to withdraw its support for the move until it is independently reviewed.
Save UTAS Campus was formed to lobby against the university’s plans to shift from the suburb of Sandy Bay into central Hobart, arguing the community was not properly consulted and the decision did not stack up.
Its petition has also called on the Hobart City Council to hold a public meeting to discuss the $600 million proposal — a request that will be enforceable if more than 1,000 people sign on.
Read the full story here.
Statement – University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black, 15 February 2022
Improving access to higher education
The University’s move to the CBD is about providing more Tasmanians with the opportunity to get the best possible education.
Over the past 20 years nearly half of all new jobs in Australia required at least a Bachelor degree, but only 10 per cent of Tasmanians living outside of Hobart currently have one.
By moving into the city we can dramatically increase access and provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities for all Tasmanians.
We are very keen to engage with all stakeholders – students, families, staff, Hobart residents and business – about how we can work together to achieve the best outcomes for everyone.
Statement – Alderman Jeff Briscoe 14 Feb 2022
Alderman Briscoe calls for a wide ranging inquiry into the University’s move to the CBD from the Sandy Bay campus – the largest real estate proposal in the city’s history
Alderman Jeff Briscoe has today called for a wide ranging inquiry into the University’s proposed move into the city and the rezoning of the Sandy Bay campus to allow 2700 residences to be build.
This proposed move by the Uni is the largest real estate development ever proposed for the City and it has not had the benefit of an independent study to determine the ramifications to the residents of Sandy Bay, to the numerous businesses in the CBD and to education .
The university will reap billions of dollars from the development of the Sandy Bay campus that was set aside for educational purposes and given free to the University. And now, in the move to the city, ratepayers will be funding most of the new infrastructure required as the University is exempt from paying full rates.
The university must be considered a major real estate developer and be scrutinised as much as a cashed up international company.
The move requires an independent broad assessment of the pros and cons and in particular the benefits or otherwise of such a massive housing development and relocation.
The effect of increase traffic in Sandy Bay, parking in the city are just two of the serious concerns that need to be addressed.
Alderman Briscoe will be introducing a motion to launch an inquiry into the University’s move to the full council in a fortnight’s time.
Due to the many links that the elected members have to the university (including being employed by them) and associated conflicts of interest we may have to seek special permission to vote on my motion from the Planning Minister said Alderman Briscoe
Alderman Briscoe is a long serving city councillor and was the former Chair of the City Planning committee and currently is the chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee”
Tasmanian Times has noted that Councillor Jeff Briscoe appears to be siding with the Save UTAS Campus group, as per his statement above.
Let’s wind the clock back just a few years to his report to the Hobart City Council, following a professional development trip to Europe with a UTAS delegations and Councillor Helen Burnet to Budapest, Freiburg, Cambridge and Bristol.
Draw your own conclusions.
Brief Alderman Report required for the requirements of the Professional Development policy – Alderman Jeff Briscoe, 30 December 2016
Senior Executive Mission – Europe November 2016
This will form part of the larger report prepared by the senior officers of HCC and hence it is not necessary to go into detail as it will just be doubling up, so I will only essentially be providing some recommendations. I will also be participating in the planned debrief for the whole council and the University in Jan 2017.
The mission was very well organised by the UTAS and our HCC officers. I personally wish to thank all those involved and appreciate the excellent professional interactions and discussions with the high level senior executives from the UTAS and HCC during this hectic trip. I appreciate the opportunity to see some very good University cities on the ground and the weather was even tolerable for a European winter. I thank the HCC for this opportunity for personal professional development and also providing a direct opportunity to gather information to help develop our city vision in an increasing small global world.
The mission included participation in the Academic Cooperation Association Annual conference in Budapest, Hungary 20-22 November and subsequent on site visits to Freiburg City in Germany and Cambridge city in England as exemplars of ‘university city’ and best practice in sustainability, innovation, regional development and urban renewal.
The detailed itinerary and other papers have been placed in the Aldermen’s room.
My 10 recommendations
1. The University City concept for Hobart should be embraced with vigour by the HCC. This will enable us to provide some answers to the challenges of the 21st century and contribute significantly to the attractiveness and sustainability of the city.
2. A high level detailed partnership (well resourced) with the UTAS should be pursued with achievable and aspirational goals.
3. Inner city transport options be explored and planned including an inner city tram (say Elizabeth St) and identify streets that can be modified for pedestrian and cycle use only as a means to connect the facilities.
4. That a culture of close cooperation with the expertise and learnings of the University and the resources of the City be encouraged for the benefit of both students and the city residents.
5. That an outreach program of the University be formalized that includes public lectures, concerts, language classes, sports courses and this outreach be supported by HCC.
6. That sustainability and quality affordable housing that doesn’t depend on the need for cars become the key part of our strategic goals in cooperation with the University.
7. That Hobart continues to become the centre of high quality research that attracts short term academics and students. The city provide welcome opportunities for these students and academics.
8. A new university Library is required in the heart of the city.
9. Big picture and more detailed city planning is required to make a stay in Hobart easy to navigate and pleasing.
10. HCC to continue to lobby for a city deal with the state and federal governments to achieve the goals and to generate ‘The Hobart Effect’, economically and educationally on the surrounding regions.
