Hobart lawyer Roland Browne loses planning appeal for sign directed at university about its Domain campus

A disgruntled Glebe resident and prominent Hobart lawyer has had to take down a sign aimed at the University of Tasmania after he lost his appeal at the state’s planning tribunal.

A PROMINENT Hobart lawyer has had to remove a sign protesting against potential overdevelopment of an inner city heritage site after losing a planning appeal.

Glebe resident, lawyer and Gun Control Australia vice president Roland Browne had erected an 8m x 1.5m sign at 1 Glebe Street which read “Hey UTAS, want to know our view? We want no new buildings on Domain campus!” and was later refused a permit by the Hobart City Council because it was considered a banner sign, which is prohibited in the inner residential zone.

Roland Browne, his son, Tim Calwell-Browne, Denise Brown, Kerry Burns, President of The Glebe residents association, former Green's leader, Bob Brown are holding up a draft plan to restrict future building development on the site of the old University, Glebe. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Mr Browne appealed the council’s permit refusal to the state’s planning tribunal, which has recently published its decision.

The Tasmanian Heritage Council had consented to a permit being granted on the condition the

sign was to be removed by July 1.

But, the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal dismissed Mr Browne’s appeal and directed that Mr Browne and the council each pay their own costs.

Mr Browne said the sign had since been taken down.

Last year, the Glebe Residents’ Association unveiled its Domain Campus Masterplan which was said to “give life to the site, without taking away from its important values”.

UTAS previously revealed plans to develop a law, humanities and social sciences precinct from the original home of the university at the Domain as part of its CBD move – a process which has been put on hold due to impacts of the pandemic.

The association’s masterplan, launched by veteran environmentalist Bob Brown, proposed no new buildings be built on the site, but current facilities be restored and better used.

GRA president Kerry Burns said the group had since considered early heritage plans for the site and was supportive of most plans, but still held some concerns for aspects of the proposal.

“We will wait to see detailed proposals in the masterplan, but comments from the Vice Chancellor have been encouraging,” he said.

UTAS southern future director Tim Rutherford said at the time of the masterplan launch the university would continue working with the association directly.