TASMANIA'S Property Council has backed plans to shift the University of Tasmania's Northern campus to Inveresk, saying the move should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a loss. The university is in the early stages of working with all tiers of government to map out a $200 million relocation plan, with the aim of attracting up to 8000 more students to a Northern city-based campus. A key plank of the preliminary agreement is identifying future purposes for the Newnham Campus, and removing its requirement that it be used for educational purposes. UTAS chief financial officer Craig Barling told an upper house inquiry last week the Newnham campus was losing a significant amount of money. "A move to Inveresk will stimulate some growth and bring with it a level of profitability that will help sustain that precinct," Mr Barling said. Property Council of Australia Tasmanian executive director Brian Wightman said two key benefits could flow from the mooted move. "The Property Council is well aware of the potential in Launceston for inner city living, driven by students, creating a hive of economic activity which is desperately required," Mr Wightman said. "The Property Council can picture a Launceston CBD with students living, working and contributing to a growing community." Mr Wightman said relocating the campus from Newnham to Inveresk should not be viewed as a loss to Mowbray and surrounding suburbs. He said the Newnham site was relatively flat, close to schools and retail precincts and well supported by public transport. "Affordable housing developments are desperately required in northern Tasmania," he said. "With the state government championing changes to the planning system, the ability to develop sub-divisions and complementary refurbishments of existing buildings would create great opportunities in a prime location." The university must provide its concept plans for Inveresk before the end of August this year.
TASMANIA'S Property Council has backed plans to shift the University of Tasmania's Northern campus to Inveresk, saying the move should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a loss.
The university is in the early stages of working with all tiers of government to map out a $200 million relocation plan, with the aim of attracting up to 8000 more students to a Northern city-based campus.
A key plank of the preliminary agreement is identifying future purposes for the Newnham Campus, and removing its requirement that it be used for educational purposes.
UTAS chief financial officer Craig Barling told an upper house inquiry last week the Newnham campus was losing a significant amount of money.
"A move to Inveresk will stimulate some growth and bring with it a level of profitability that will help sustain that precinct," Mr Barling said.
Property Council of Australia Tasmanian executive director Brian Wightman said two key benefits could flow from the mooted move.
"The Property Council is well aware of the potential in Launceston for inner city living, driven by students, creating a hive of economic activity which is desperately required," Mr Wightman said.
"The Property Council can picture a Launceston CBD with students living, working and contributing to a growing community."
Mr Wightman said relocating the campus from Newnham to Inveresk should not be viewed as a loss to Mowbray and surrounding suburbs.
He said the Newnham site was relatively flat, close to schools and retail precincts and well supported by public transport.
"Affordable housing developments are desperately required in northern Tasmania," he said.
"With the state government championing changes to the planning system, the ability to develop sub-divisions and complementary refurbishments of existing buildings would create great opportunities in a prime location."
The university must provide its concept plans for Inveresk before the end of August this year.
