“New life”: Forestry building set for major revamp for UTAS move
After it was vacated by Forestry Tasmania in 2017, the iconic forestry building has been empty ever since. But now, its future has been decided. SEE THE INCREDIBLE DESIGNS >>
Tasmania
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After years sitting empty in the Hobart CBD, the future of the former Forestry Tasmania building has been decided, paving the way for a key part of the University of Tasmania’s campus move from Sandy Bay.
The development application to restore the heritage listed building on Melville Street was given the green light at the Hobart City Council meeting on Monday.
The building was occupied by Forestry Tasmania until 2017 and was purchased by UTAS in 2018.
When the building is ready, it will house business and economics as well as law and the administrative offices.
The design includes retaining the Forestry Tasmania dome.
University of Tasmania vice-chancellor prof. Rufus Black said work on the project was expected to commence before the end of the year.
“The former Forestry building is a beautiful and important piece of Hobart architecture, and we are proud to be restoring it and giving it a new life,” prof. Black said.
At Monday’s council meeting Councillor Bill Harvey said the rebirth of the building would be an asset to Hobart.
“I’m looking forward to UTAS delivering what they’ve said they’re going to deliver,” Mr Harvey said.
“They’ve promised quite a lot within this building.”
But the project had been met with some opposition from community members, with 119 representations submitted to council on the proposal, 96 of which were in opposition.
A common concern raised was the number of car spots available on site, as the designs includes five spaces along with one disabled access space.
Alderman Jeff Briscoe, who has been vocal about his hesitation to support the campus move, said he would not support the application.
“Good planning, in my view, means we take an assessment of all the factors,” Mr Briscoe said.
“We haven’t got further information about parking and traffic into the city.”
The council advised the university to develop a campus action travel plan to reduce the need to access the building during peak traffic times and to ensure each car space is compliant with the Australian standards for disabled spaces.
The university has committed to working with the council to provide more parking at future developments.
Prof. Black said the building would help improve access to education.
“Centrally located, the forestry building is easy for students to get to, close to jobs, and a short walk from the shops and services of the city,” Prof. Black said.
“It makes it much easier for someone to fit study in with the rest of their life.”
“We are grateful for the careful consideration the City of Hobart has given to this important project and for the information and input members of the community have provided throughout the planning process.”
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