Former University of Tasmania academics form group to oppose Sandy Bay campus relocation

Former senior University of Tasmania academics have formed a lobby group in opposition to the planned relocation of the Sandy Bay campus to the Hobart CBD.

A HIGHLY regarded academic has formed a new group in opposition to the University of Tasmania’s plan to relocate its Sandy Bay campus, describing the $600 million move into the city as “possibly the most historic and significant single proposal for change that Hobart has ever seen”.

Pam Sharpe, a former Professor of History at UTAS, said the group intended to lobby the university to retain the Sandy Bay site, after the University Council resolved in 2019 to instead develop a “city-centric” campus.

“The university exists in a world of its own, oblivious to the wishes or needs of

the community of which it is supposed to be a part,” she said.

“The Sandy Bay campus is not just real estate, ripe for development. It is precious land given to the university by Tasmanians as a place for higher learning.”

“Common sense suggests that the existing campus – already near the city centre – has great potential for university development. UTAS clearly has the money to create landmark buildings … to replace the worn-out buildings created 60 years ago. There is good access to the site, plenty of space, mountain and water views, et cetera.”

Professor Pam Sharpe helped form the Save UTAS campus group. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In forming the Save UTAS Campus group, Professor Sharpe has had the support of John Livermore, the former dean of the university’s Faculty of Economics and Commerce.

A public Facebook group has been created, which had attracted 287 members at the time of print.

It comes after UTAS Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black earlier this month unveiled a draft concept master plan for the future development of the Sandy Bay site.

Following a consultation process, the university has proposed to split the site into five precincts: a lifestyle and sporting precinct bordering Sandy Bay Rd; an innovation and civic quarter closer to Churchill Ave; a learning precinct adjacent to Proctors Rd; a peri-urban neighbourhood near Mount Nelson; and an eco-tourism precinct and residential neighbourhood backing onto Olinda Grove.

A map of the Sandy Bay draft concept master plan. Picture: SUPPLIED

A UTAS spokesman said the university understood “there are people who disagree with this decision, and we respect their views”.

However, he denied UTAS had not sufficiently consulted with the Hobart community before the University Council made its decision.

“There was broad consultation with staff, students, alumni and the community prior to that decision more than two years ago,” the spokesman said. “And since then, consultation has continued – it shaped the master plan and urban design framework for the inner-city campus and is underway now for the Sandy Bay site.”

The university’s move into the city is expected to be completed by 2030.