University of Tasmania begins installation of shipping container accommodation

The installation of shipping containers to be used as university student accommodation has begun.

Shipping containers arrive at the University of Tasmania ahead of their installation as student accommodation. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THE installation of shipping containers near the University of Tasmania’s Christ College has begun, in the first stage of the accommodation development announced by the university late last year.

Shipping container company Royal Wolf approached UTAS in December last year with a suggestion to make use of its three-bedroom units to address student housing issues.

The university announced shortly after that it planned to install 60 repurposed shipping containers to host about 180 UTAS students on the Sandy Bay campus.

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An image from the development application showing the position of the proposed extra accommodation blocks, centre, at the University of Tasmania. Picture: UTAS/MORRISON AND BREYTENBACH ARCHITECTS

Royal Wolf CEO Neil Littlewood told the Mercury in December that each unit was typically fitted with a king single bed, a television, a cupboard and an ensuite, with split-system airconditioning.

UTAS released plans for the village in January. The development application lodged with the Hobart City Council showed the containers would be arranged in four blocks, each with their own enclosed walkways, on land behind the heritage-listed Christ College.

An example from Royal Wolf’s website of the set up believed to be the type proposed for UTAS student accomodation.

The plans allowed for bedrooms with ensuite facilities and a microwave in each, as well as communal common rooms and laundry facilities.

The site where the shipping containers are being installed is adjacent to John Fisher College on College Rd, Sandy Bay.