Statement – UTAS, 20 July 2023
Statement from Acting Executive Director Campus Services Rod Tremayne
“The Forestry building redevelopment will provide state-of-the-art and highly accessible teaching and learning facilities as well as bringing a long vacant icon of the city back to life.
“The City of Hobart approved the project over a year ago. We are pleased that, after a failed attempt to appeal the original planning approval last year, Save UTAS’s appeal against the addition of a new accessibility ramp has been dismissed on all grounds this week by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“The Universities Accord interim report released on Wednesday made it clear that increasing access to tertiary education, particularly in regional area, was critical if the nation is to meet the challenges we face.
“As a community, we need to increase the number of Tasmanians going on to further study after high school, whether that is at a university or TAFE.”
Media release – Save UTAS, 21 July 2023
SAVE UTAS CAMPUS INC. LOSES APPEAL AGAINST UTAS MELVILLE STREET DEVELOPMENT
UTAS TO SPEND $131M IN DEFIANCE OF STAFF, STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) has rejected an appeal by Save UTAS Campus Inc. against aspects of the Hobart City Council’s approval of UTAS’ proposed development in Melville Street, Hobart. This frees UTAS to implement the project, slated to cost $131M, a blowout of $45M over the original budget.
The TASCAT decision was handed down on 18 July 2023 following a three day hearing.
The blowout in the cost of the building comes at a time when UTAS is under severe financial pressure.
Two expert analysts, John Lawrence and Robert Hogan, have recently made separate submissions to the Legislative Council Inquiry into UTAS claiming that the University is running out of money and may need a government bailout.
Minutes from the 27 April 2023 meeting of the University’s governing Council confirm that financially the University is facing ‘challenging conditions’ this year. On 4 May 2023 Vice Chancellor Rufus Black told the Legislative Council Inquiry that if UTAS got into ‘financial trouble’ any bailout would come from the state government because UTAS is ‘an entity of the state’.
On 6 July 2023 State Treasurer Michael Ferguson gave evidence to the Legislative Council Inquiry and wasn’t so sure who would be responsible if a bailout was required. It seems that the only certainty about UTAS financial situation is that UTAS continues to spend extravagantly on the Melville Street building.
Despite the steep cost of the Melville Street development the University may end up with a building which is deficient. Both staff and students have criticised the design as unsuitable. The move is opposed by the Law School, one of the intended occupants, because it will have to move from its purpose-built home at the Sandy Bay campus to a space which will be one-third as big and lacking key features.
