‘Same fight’: Save UTAS Campus’ fight to save CBD

They’ve been rallying for months to save the UTAS campus in Sandy Bay, and now the group fighting against the university is turning its focus to the CBD. Find out what they want.

Save UTAS Campus launches its new campaign, focusing on "saving" the Hobart CBD.

‘Save UTAS’ signs were a familiar sight across the Hobart CBD during the state election, but with the elector poll done and dusted, the group behind the signs is changing tack.

Save UTAS Campus hoped to convince electors to vote no in the Hobart City elector poll, the outcome showed 74 per cent did not support the University of Tasmania’s campus move from Sandy Bay to Hobart’s CBD.

Now they’re urging the university to respect the vote, launching a new campaign focused on ‘saving’ the CBD.

Save UTAS chair Prof. Sharpe said the group wanted the university to stop its relocation plan until its fully consulted the community.

“UTAS have put a pause on developing the campus, as far as we know it’s full go ahead on developing Melville Street,” Prof. Sharpe said.

“We’re extremely worried they’ll continue developing here when we’ve had a 74 per cent elector poll vote that says no to developing in the CBD.”

Save Our Campus spokeswoman Pam Sharpe and law student Fletcher Clarke at the UTAS Sandy Bay campus in Hobart

In November last year, the university hoped to proceed with a plan to install a parklet on Melville Street, which would have involved closing one lane of traffic on part of the street.

Business owners were concerned the idea would negatively impact trade and the University hit pause on its on its development application.

Mid-town business representative Denis McLoughlin said concerns hadn’t gone away.

“Instead of withdrawing they have paused it, the university still have the plan to close Melville St,” Mr McLoughlin said.

“It’s just a continuation of the same fight.”

Denis McLoughlin and CBD traders and shop owners were angry at UTAS plans for the street (2021). Picture Eddie Safarik

Mr McLoughlin said many had concerns about parking and traffic.

“If they are allowed to bring thousands of students into this building everyday, all of the businesses customers will find it almost impossible to gain access to the businesses because it will be clogged up,” he said.

“No one’s against the university as such, it’s the way its being run … their plans for the future will hurt all the small businesses.”

A University of Tasmania spokesman said the university would not be getting into debate with Save UTAS, directing The Mercury to a previous statement from UTAS Vice Chancellor Rufus Black.

“How the university best evolves to support students, staff and the state is an issue that impacts all Tasmanians, and the needs and views of the people of Hobart and communities further afield will inform the way forward as we work with the Hobart City Council,” Mr Black said in a previous statement.

“With 40 per cent of southern staff and students already based in the city and approved projects underway for the Forestry Building and the Philip Smith building on the Domain, this is more complex than a simple yes or no.”