Protesters demand UTAS to stay right where it is

Placard-wielding protesters marched onto University of Tasmania grounds today to demand uni administrators keep the Sandy Bay campus right where it is. LATEST >>

Placard-wielding protesters marched onto University of Tasmania grounds on Friday to demand uni administrators to keep Sandy Bay campus right where it is.

The rally comes in response to UTAS’ second attempt to sell off parts of its Sandy Bay campus and relocate into the Hobart CBD.

The protest was led by former UTAS lecturer Pam Sharpe, who worked as a professor of history for 15 years before leaving in March.

Professor Sharpe said this was the largest demonstration they’d held so far, and that they planned to ramp up their protests in the coming year.

“We want to make a statement about the rezoning of this campus, which we believe should be an educational zone, not a housing estate,” Prof Sharpe said.

She was joined by alumni Ben Lohberger, who has studied geography, political science, and aquaculture at the Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie campuses.

“I’d have to be one of the few people in Tassie that has studied at all three campuses, and I can’t believe the university’s abandoning all three of them,” Mr Lohberger said.

“I’m absolutely horrified that they’re thinking about vandalising this learning facility, which is a great learning facility and should be the envy of the world.”

One of the most vocal protesters was Denis McLoughlin, who came with inner city shopkeepers who opposed the campus relocation.

CROSS: Denis McLoughlin and Prof Pam Sharpe lead a protest outside the University of Tasmania campus. Picture: Kenji Sato

Mr McLoughlin said the move would eliminate precious parking spaces and squeeze out inner city traders who were already doing it tough.

“We’ve become very disillusioned because we’ve had our lives turned upside down. I own property near Melville Street, and Rufus promised to be a good neighbour but so far he hasn’t,” Mr McLoughlin said.

“I think it’s a huge threat to all the business in the CBD, the arrival of the university. It’s a complex, bullying, massive steamroller.”

UTAS campus transformation executive director Phil Leerson said the university’s plans would deliver a boost to the economy in an environmentally friendly way.

Mr Leerson said people were entitled to their own views, and that the university accepted their right to protest.

“We both appreciate and respect that proposals attract a range of views. People approach these things with different values, so that’s only natural. On that basis, we welcome the 30 or so people onto the oval today to express their views,” Mr Leerson said.

“We also welcome the support of a range of representative organisations excited about our ability to improve access, getting more Tasmanians into higher levels of education; making it easier for us to partner with Government, business and industry; and reuniting our University – now divided – so it is easier for staff to work together across the organisation.”

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