Media release – Tas Liberals, 27 February 2024
Majority Rockliff Liberal Government Will Keep UTAS In Sandy Bay
We will amend the University of Tasmania Act 1992 to require that the land at Sandy Bay currently held by the University of Tasmania cannot be sold except with the explicit support of both Houses of the Parliament.
The current site of the University of Tasmania was gifted by the people of Tasmania to the University in 1951.
The original University of Tasmania Act (1951) contained a provision preventing the University from disposing of the land at this site.
This provision was removed by Labor when they amended the Act in 1992.
The Liberal Party respects the right of the University to establish new facilities in the Hobart CBD, and elsewhere if they wish.
This arrangement strikes the right balance between protecting the public interest, and allowing the University to get on with their business – which is educating young Tasmanians.
If re-elected, we will introduce legislation to this effect into the Parliament within our first 100 days.
Media release – SaveUTAS, 27 February 2024
SaveUTAS CALLS ON UTAS LEADERSHIP TO RESIGN
SaveUTAS co-chair Mike Foster says the Liberals UTAS announcement means the former government has lost confidence in UTAS leadership and both Chancellor Alison Watkins and Vice Chancellor Black should resign.
“Fresh leadership will give hope to disillusioned staff and students. UTAS can be restored as the preferred university for young Tasmanians.”
Mr Foster said, “Hundreds of millions of dollars have been squandered on this ill-conceived relocation project. UTAS is presently wasting a further $130M on what might be Hobart’s most extravagant refurbishment, a useless building in Melville Street which will be far from the campus and too small to be useful. All expenditure needs to stop.”
“The major parties, Liberal and Labor, must also take responsibility for this debacle which has put the future of our only university at risk. Some expert analysts say the debt taken on by UTAS for relocation will inevitably impact on teaching and research at UTAS.”
“Having borrowed hundreds of millions for the project, UTAS needs to end its secrecy and open its books to reveal the state of its finances. That will enable the major parties to determine what financial support a future government will need to provide to restore teaching and research to optimum levels.”
“We hope the Melville Street building and all the other empty or under-utilised properties owned by UTAS around the Hobart CBD will be sold as soon as possible to provide space for inner city housing and money for Sandy Bay campus refurbishment. UTAS has blocked city development for years.”
Media release – Master Builders Tasmania, 27 February 2024
Statement on the Sandy Bay University campus
Master Builders Tasmania CEO, David Clerk, has called for the Liberals to consult with key groups regarding its position on the University’s Sandy Bay campus.
“There is a housing shortage in Tasmania, which is impacting Hobart in particular,” Mr Clerk said.
“We know we have to build 3,100 new houses per year just to keep pace with population growth, yet alone tackle social and affordable housing waiting lists.
“The Sandy Bay campus offers a significant opportunity to address the shortfall in housing in southern Tasmania if managed strategically.
“Master Builders encourages the Liberals to work with the University and groups like Master Builders Tasmania to develop a sustainable, long-term approach that would enable more housing to be built in Tasmania and Hobart in particular.”
Media release – Housing Industry Association, 27 February 2024
Blocking UTAS move a backward step in housing supply
“The long-discussed move of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) from the Sandy Bay campus presents a real opportunity to ease housing pressures in Greater Hobart,” said Stuart Collins, HIA Executive Director Tasmania.
“For many years, Tasmania’s demand for housing has not been met with sufficient supply, resulting in significant stresses on families and households in both the private and public housing market.
“Increasing supply is the key to addressing the housing and rental market problem and we need policies that support this.
“Attempts to block the release of the UTAS Sandy Bay campus for sensible residential development that could support a mix of housing including medium-density, presents a significant backward step in solving Tasmania’s housing supply issues.
“The UTAS’ 2021 Sandy Bay site masterplan included the development of practical and thoughtful precincts, featuring 2,500 homes, retirement living and aged care, tourism and a bushland reserve. The site is also able to utilise existing infrastructure, speeding up the development process and saving cost.
“Recent election commitments to support new earthworks and civil construction training facilities are supported, however, they will not assist with easing housing pressures for young Tasmanians or families.
“An incoming government must continue to invest in traditional construction training and apprenticeships, and provide support to the Vocational Education and Training system to both TasTAFE and private training providers.
“Rather than policies that will have an adverse impact on housing supply for Tasmania, we call on all parties to focus on housing policies to ease housing constraints, increase supply and support industry to build for Tasmania’s future.
“The residential construction sector is ready and equipped to continue to build the housing of the future for Tasmanians, to meet the demand for new homes and to ease the crisis impacting on many Tasmanian families,” concluded Mr Collins.
Greens Back Police Commissioner, UTas at Sandy Bay, Duck Hunting Ban
