The development application to relocate the museum from Cimitiere Street to a new site at Lindsay Street is set to be discussed at the City of Launceston council’s meeting. It is recommended for approval. 

The museum is being relocated because the University of Tasmania entered a land transfer deal for land it is currently located on, which is planned to be used for UTAS’s relocation to Inveresk. 

At the new site, the main building will include a warehouse, with the front part of the building to include the entry, display space, shop, an office and amenities. 

More than 50 car spaces will available at the new site, along with four motorcycle spaces and eight bicycles spaces. 

The proposed car park will be spilt across two areas of the site, the development application said. 

“It will accommodate 33 spaces in two rows, including two accessible spaces for persons with a disability located directly adjacent to the main building entry. The parking area to the rear will accommodate 19 spaces in a single row,” it said.

The surrounding area to the south is being mostly redeveloped by the council for the new Riverbend Park. Bunnings and other retail buildings near the site will be located behind the museum.  

The museum receives about 24,000 visitors each year, and the purpose built facility is expected to cost about $5 million.

Four representations were received about the development application, with all representors invited to a meeting held on September 14, the agenda said. 

At Monday’s meeting the council will also discuss a proposal to remove the limit on staff and teaching numbers at the Launceston Preparatory School. The limit currently sits at 130 students and 17 teachers. 

The council will also discuss whether it sponsors the Special Olympics events in 2020 and 2022 to the tune of $130,000 during the next five years. 

“The bid [to get the event] recognised the significant benefits an event such as the Special Olympics can bring to Tasmania and outlined its importance to people living with an intellectual disability,” the agenda said.

More than 7300 participants, their support teams and spectators are expected to be in the state for the 2020 Junior Games, and Trans Tasman Games in 2022.

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