As the University of Tasmania progresses its relocation from Newnham to Inveresk, Launceston Chamber of Commerce chief executive Neil Grose has called for the School of Business and Economics to have its permanent base in the northern city.

“The relocation of the University to Inveresk from Newnham is an excellent opportunity to fully establish this important school in Launceston,” he said.

“This would mean the schools of Economics, Management, Accounting and Marketing are headquartered here in Launceston, making Launceston a centre of regional economic development.

“Here is the ideal opportunity to have a state-of-the-art business school in Launceston, close to the central business district and would attract high-quality students to study here.”

During a visit to Launceston in June, demographer Bernard Salt revealed it as the second most entrepreneurial city in Australia.

“We should be striving to be the number one – having the School of Business & Economics here in Launceston is an important step in developing local business talent and attracting people from interstate and overseas,” Mr Grose said.

“While students can study elements of a business degree across a variety of campus facilities, it makes sense to have senior academics and staff based here.”

 The chamber chief executive said it was vital to the success of tertiary education “to have core tertiary disciplines based here in Launceston”.

“That means having senior academic staff such as the Dean of Business located here in Launceston, as it always was in the past,” he said.