UTAS signs agreement over Kangaroo Bay hospitality school

The Chinese company behind a multimillion-dollar proposal for Kangaroo Bay has found a new collaborator for its hotel and hospitality training school.

An artist’s Impression of the proposed Kangaroo Bay development. Picture: Circa Morris-Nunn

THE University of Tasmania will formally explore collaborating with the Chinese company behind a multimillion-dollar hotel and hospitality training school proposed for Kangaroo Bay.

UTAS vice-chancellor Rufus Black on Friday confirmed the institution had signed a memorandum of understanding with Chambroad when company bosses were in Hobart last week.

“We are excited about exploring the opportunities of a hotel management and hospitality college in Tasmania,” Professor Black said.

“On Friday last week, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chambroad to

further investigate a collaboration around the Kangaroo Bay development.”

No further details on the agreement were available on Friday.

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An artist’s Impression of the proposed Kangaroo Bay development. Picture: Circa Morris-Nunn

Tasmanian vocational education provider TasTAFE was originally slated to deliver the courses planned for the $80 million venture.

TasTAFE and Chambroad signed a service delivery agreement in 2016 with $200,000 set aside in the 2017-18 budget to assist the vocational education provider’s involvement in the venture.

However, chief executive Jenny Dodd told budget estimates hearings in June that TasTAFE had pulled back its involvement with Chambroad as it was not a higher education provider.

An Office of the Co-ordinator-General spokesman welcomed the MOU between UTAS and Chambroad.

“Chambroad has consistently expressed the view that the international hospitality college is integral to the Kangaroo Bay project and we welcome the signing of a MOU between the University of Tasmania and Chambroad to explore the University becoming the education operator for the hotel management hospitality college,” the spokesman said.

An artist’s Impression of the proposed Kangaroo Bay development. Picture: Circa Morris-Nunn

Co-ordinator-General John Perry and Clarence Council mayor Doug Chipman travelled to China last month to meet with Chambroad representatives on the future of the project.

According to Ald Chipman’s report back to the council, the developer had indicated it wanted to expand its student accommodation plans and had questioned the viability of the hotel.

Franklin Greens MHA Rosalie Woodruff said the report raised red flags.

”The last thing this community needs, who have already had their views ignored, is a shoddy half-built complex,” Dr Woodruff said.