Petition to ‘Save UTAS Campus’ hits signature target one day after launch

Since its launch on Tuesday morning, a petition against the University of Tasmania’s campus relocation has drawn a sea of signatures.

Since its launch on Tuesday morning, a petition against the University of Tasmania’s campus relocation has drawn more than 1000 signatures.

Lobby group Save UTAS Campus launched the petition to Hobart City Council after months of campaigning to prevent the university from migrating its facilities from Sandy Bay to Hobart CBD.

Save UTAS Campus chair Professor Pam Sharpe said at the launch on Tuesday she hoped 1000 City of Hobart residents would sign the petition, which calls for council to suspend any support of the move until a review of the relocation proposal requiring community comment can be completed.

Prof Sharpe said by Wednesday evening, the petition drew more than 1075, with at least 1000 signatures coming directly from Hobart local government area residents.

University of Tasmania building and signage, Hobart CBD. Picture: Richard Jupe.

Prof Sharpe was pleased the campaign had “gone off like a rocket”.

“I myself was expecting it to take about a week to get to that number, or even more,” she said.

“It’ll be very interesting to see what the general public outside of the area think.”

The final concept masterplan for UTAS’ Reimagine Sandy Bay project – which would develop the existing campus into a multipurpose community hub – has received 30 feedback responses online.

Consultation for the plan involved more than 100 face-to-face and focus groups and 358 open house participants.

UTAS Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black has said the move to the city would allow more students to access education, while a UTAS spokesman recently said the Sandy Bay development would alleviate housing stress and support the local economy.

Save UTAS Campus group petition seeks to halt campus relocation

A local group has launched a petition urging council to delay its support of the University of Tasmania’s planned relocation from the Sandy Bay campus to Hobart city.

The Save UTAS Campus collective has hoped to amass 1000 signatures from Hobart local government area residents urging council to hold a public meeting about the university’s controversial move to the CBD.

Professor Pam Sharpe, formerly of UTAS, established Save UTAS Campus with several like-minded academics and other locals who want to preserve the existing campus.

“It’s a real asset to Hobart and to the state so we want the university of the future to be based on the campus,” Prof Sharpe said.

Save UTAS Campus group has launched a petition calling on the Hobart City Council to cease its support for the UTAS proposal to move the Sandy Bay Campus. Chair Save the UTAS Campus group Professor Pam Sharpe signs the petition at Hobart Town Hall. Picture: Chris Kidd.

Save UTAS Campus group has launched a petition calling on the Hobart City Council to cease its support for the UTAS proposal to move the Sandy Bay Campus. Chair Save the UTAS Campus group Prof Pam Sharpe at Hobart Town Hall. Picture: Chris Kidd.

“We want students to have that facility and for it to be revitalised.”

Prof Sharpe said proposed study spaces in the city lacked “imaginative architecture that really inspires students”.

UTAS has planned to transform the Sandy Bay grounds and buildings into a hub with several precincts, including a housing mix of 2700 dwellings, an upgraded sporting complex, arts and culture spaces, retail and eco-tourism areas.

The Reimagine Sandy Bay master plan would create an estimated 2000 jobs.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black said the move sought the “best possible education” for students in the CBD.

Vice Chancellor of UTAS Professor Rufus Black speaks about budget concerns from Covid-19. Picture: Luke Bowden.

“Over the past 20 years nearly half of all new jobs in Australia required at least a Bachelor degree, but only 10 per cent of Tasmanians living outside of Hobart currently have one,” he said.

“By moving into the city we can dramatically increase access and provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities for all Tasmanians.

“We are very keen to engage with all stakeholders – students, families, staff, Hobart residents and business – about how we can work together to achieve the best outcomes for everyone.”

Senator Eric Abetz, who visited from Canberra for the launch of the Save UTAS Campus petition, said the university needed to focus on its primary function as an educational and research institution.

The Save UTAS Campus group has launched a petition calling on the Hobart City Council to cease its support for the UTAS proposal to move the Sandy Bay Campus. Senator Eric Abetz. Picture: Chris Kidd.

He said expanding access for students travelling from the northern suburbs didn’t have to mean moving to the CBD, but could have been achieved by creating a different public transport options.

“The university has an idyllic campus in Sandy Bay. It’s well spaced, there’s greenery, there’s lawn, there’s trees, and what are they moving into? A concrete asphalt jungle.”

Senator Abetz sent a letter to the Auditor General on February 9 seeking an independent review into the university’s relocation, querying the funding and the long-term financial prospects of the project.

The Save UTAS Campus group has launched a petition calling on the Hobart City Council to cease its support for the UTAS proposal to move the Sandy Bay Campus. Senator Eric Abetz signs the petition. Picture: Chris Kidd.

He said the community overwhelmingly echoed his sentiments.

“When you get as motley a crew as Richard Flanagan, Eric Abetz and others all agreeing on this issue then I think you’ve got an understanding of the strength of community support,” Senator Abetz said.

‘Serious concerns’: Alderman seeks inquiry into UTAS campus move

A Hobart City Councillor says he will introduce a motion pushing for a wide ranging inquiry into the University of Tasmania’s move to the CBD.

Alderman Jeff Briscoe has said UTAS was expected to generate billions of dollars from the development of houses, retail, cultural and sporting precincts at the Sandy Bay Campus, which was given to the university for educational use.

Hobart City Councillor Jeff Briscoe. Picture: Kenji Sato.

“This proposed move by the uni is the largest real estate development ever proposed for the city and it has not had the benefit of an independent study to determine the ramifications to the residents of Sandy Bay, to the numerous businesses in the CBD and to education,” Mr Briscoe said.

University of Tasmania building and signage in Hobart CBD. Picture: Richard Jupe.

“The university must be considered a major real estate developer and be scrutinised as much as a cashed up international company.

“The move requires an independent broad assessment of the pros and cons and in particular the benefits or otherwise of such a massive housing development and relocation.”

Mr Briscoe had “serious concerns” about greater traffic congestion in Sandy Bay and the availability of city car parks amid the campus relocation.

The alderman has planned to introduce his motion to full council in two week’s time.

University of Tasmania building and signage in Hobart CBD. Picture: Richard Jupe.

He hoped the Planning Minister would grant special permission to vote on the motion, given several elected members had links to the university.

A UTAS spokesman has said the university will continue its engagement with the community and stakeholders during the planning and regulatory processes of its move to the city and its Sandy Bay masterplan.

“Announced three years ago, the University’s move into the city will improve access to higher

education for Tasmanians, stimulate small business in the Hobart CBD, invest in the local economy and contribute to solving some of the state’s housing challenges,” the spokesman said.

UTAS. An artist's impression of the rejuvenated Forestry building in Melville St, one of the first buildings to be revamped for students and staff. Picture: Supplied.

It comes ahead of the launch of the Save UTAS Campus Hobart City Electors Petition, which Senator Eric Abetz is expected to attend on Tuesday.

The senator has previously called for scrutiny into the multimillion-dollar Reimagine Sandy Bay master plan, which would see the original campus transformed over several years to include about 2700 new houses among other lifestyle precincts.

The Save UTAS Campus group was formed last year by senior academics who once worked at the university.

The collective’s public Facebook group has amassed some 1300 members since November.