The University of Tasmania would not reveal any definitive future plans about relocating the campus, but has canvassed business and community on its $83 million Tamar Health hub expansion.

Launceston City Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski said significant areas of land at Inveresk and at other sites could be used for university  development.

‘‘It is extremely important to this city’s future that we consolidate a UTAS Northern campus in the city,’’ Mr Dobrzynski said.

‘‘We need flagship projects and programs as part of that consolidation and are enormously keen to work with UTAS to make this happen.’’

But former politician and Launceston mayor Don Wing warned against any downgrading of the Northern campus.

‘‘There is not an adequate awareness in Northern Tasmania of the potential threats to the status of its university,’’ Mr Wing said.

‘‘I hope that any cut back in federal funding will not be used as an excuse to weaken either of the universities  in Launceston or the Cradle Coast.’’

Mr Wing said any move to consolidate the university at Inveresk would require substantial government funding, which was scarce.

‘‘It is just unrealistic to expect that Newnham would be abandoned with all its facilities and infrastructure. There wouldn’t be much extra room at Inveresk to accommodate the faculties that are still at that campus.’’

National Tertiary Education Union secretary John Kenny said concern existed about what consolidation to Inveresk would mean for teaching programs in the North, such as education, and staffing arrangements.

In discussions, it has been flagged that the Australian Maritime College would remain at its Newnham site. 

The University of Tasmania remains committed to building its 120 student accommodation units at Inveresk.