“Building on the existing world-renowned capabilities already located in the region, Launceston is uniquely positioned to meet these requirements,” she said.

"This would also enable further leveraging of the significant opportunities that will flow from the investments in the UTAS Transformation Project and the federal government’s City Deal program.”

On Friday Defence Minister Christopher Pyne revealed plans for the college, leading to confusion about the Australian Maritime College’s roles as a world-renown maritime institution.

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said some of the commentary coming out of South Australia was concerning.

“Equally concerning is any suggestion that a similar institution will be established in South Australia which effectively competes for this custom internationally,” he said.

“This would not appear to be in the national interest, given that the AMC has a long-established and enviable reputation in maritime services education, research and training. Accordingly, we have raised with the state government our serious apprehensions at this development and the Premier has undertaken to make strong representations to the federal government to ensure that Tasmania's interests and that of the AMC remain paramount.”

Alderman van Zetten said it was inconceivable that the federal government would invest substantially in the $260 million University of Tasmania inner city campus and potentially take an action which may jeopardise the future prospects of the AMC.

In an opinion piece in The Examiner on Wednesday Minister Pyne said the new Maritime Technical College would be complementary to existing institutions rather than competitive.

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