Save UTAS Campus says traders will be affected by street closure

The impending four month closure of a busy section of a Hobart city street has been branded as a blow to the city’s shoppers and traders. Why they’re outraged >

An artists impression University of Tasmania forestry Tasmania building on Melville St, Hobart.

A section of Brisbane street will be closed off for four months, while the University of Tasmania carries out sewerage and stormwater upgrades for its Forestry building, something which has been slammed by the Save UTAS Campus (SUC) group.

The section between Elizabeth St and Murray St will be closed to vehicles for 16 weeks, from the middle of July.

The old Forestry building that is set to be transformed as part of the UTAS city CBD move. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Pedestrians will still be able to access the section of Brisbane Street.

Shoppers will be able to access Barbeques Galore, Choices Flooring and Lexus via the ‘right of way’ laneway on Patrick Street, which is also how The Rox apartments will be accessible.

The Save UTAS Campus group said it was a blow to Hobart shoppers and traders.

“The works in Melville and Brisbane Streets have already had an impact on traders,” SUC co-chair Mike Foster said.

“Traders say that their customer parking has vanished as UTAS builders take parking spots all day.”

The Save UTAS Campus group protested in front of the Forestry building in December.

Mr Foster said the relocation had been heavily criticised.

Last year an elector poll showed 74 per cent of Hobart City voters were against the university’s campus relocation from Sandy Bay to Hobart’s CBD.

“The closure is required to enable UTAS to proceed with its controversial redevelopment of the former Forestry building and Freedom Furniture buildings,” he said.

“UTAS intends to relocate the Law School, against its wishes, from its home on the Sandy Bay campus to much smaller facilities in the redeveloped building.”

University of Tasmania campus services acting executive director Rod Tremayne said the works were part of an approved development, which meant significant upgrades for the section.

“Planned in consultation with the City of Hobart, the investment will increase the water and sewer main’s capacity for this area of the city and ensure it is easier to access in the future,” he said.

“We recognise the closure of Brisbane Street will be an inconvenience for some people which is why we have kept all our neighbours well informed of the works, visiting and talking to those impacted multiple times.”