University of Tasmania buys Hobart site for student accommodation
The University of Tasmania has bought a key site in central Hobart for future student accommodation, just hours after committing to a $600m move into the CBD.
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The University of Tasmania has bought a key site in central Hobart for future student accommodation, spokesman Jason Purdie said
The University bought the 1.2ha K&D property in the CBD, which occupies a full city block.
The price has not been disclosed, although was above expectations, Scott Newton from selling agent Knight Frank said.
UTAS SPLASHES THE CASH IN BUYING SPREE
The final bid for the K&D site was lodged late Friday afternoon, after the University Council decided to shift the bulk of its Hobart campus into the CBD over the next 10 to 15 years.
K&D has been running hardware operations since Andrew Kemp and Victor Denning established a small timber merchant business in Hobart in 1902.
In the past couple of years, the embattled retailer closed stores at Cambridge, Devonport, Glenorchy and Kingston and sold its Mitre10 interests to Tasmania Hardware, trading as Clennetts.
UTAS HOUSING MOVE ‘INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL”
“We have had a strategy to meet the foreseen demand in student accommodation in recent years,” Mr Purdie said. “This purchase will mean we are well-placed to meet our needs for the years ahead.”
Mr Purdie said it was likely the University would look further afield for future accommodation developments.
PRIME K&D CITY SITE ON THE BLOCK
“With increased density in the city and improvements in public transport, it is likely the next accommodation hubs will be elsewhere in greater Hobart. We look forward to working with municipalities such as Glenorchy to realise that future.”
The University is also in negotiations on a “significant land parcel” in Launceston as part of the finalisation of the Inveresk campus approach.
National Tertiary Education Union division secretary Kelvin Michael said university staff remained unconvinced about the move to the city.
A survey conducted by the union showed that the overwhelming majority of staff were against the university’s plan to move from Sandy Bay.
“Our members were very clear that they weren’t in favour of the city-centric model, moving most of the university’s operations into the CBD,” he said.
“They preferred a model which keeps UTas mostly on the Sandy Bay campus, but still with a renewal program to build and replace infrastructure.
“By moving in to the city it’s not clear how you’re going to create a campus feel, the idea that you’re in a university. You’re going to be in an office building in a city with a UTas logo on it.”
He said there was a feeling among staff that the consultation over the move led towards a predetermined outcome.
“It’s certainly feeling that way, that’s what members tell us. There was a process that was described as consultation but it feels like the decision that was made last week by the university council was the one that was always going to be made.”
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