The University of Tasmania has appealed a decision made by the Tasmanian Planning Commission regarding the rezoning of a significant portion of the Sandy Bay campus at the Supreme Court in Hobart.
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Justice Stephen Estcourt heard the university wished to have a draft amendment to current planning frameworks accepted to allow the university to dispose of surplus resources which was denied by the planning commission last year.
A series of hearings assessing this amendment were held in early May 2018.
Justice Estcourt said during this assessment process it was ironic that both the university and the TPC shared the same concern regarding the need for further strategic planning.
"The tribunal is expressing concern about missing information at the same time the university is trying to fill some gaps," Justice Estcourt said.
Lawyer Anthony Spence, representing the University of Tasmania, argued the TPC denied the amendment on the basis of an objective in the proposal, rather than an aspect in the proposal itself, and that during the assessment process the university was denied natural justice.
Government lawyer Paul Turner, representing the TPC, said the draft amendment was denied on the basis that it failed to meet the opinion of sound strategic planning.
Mr Turner said the university had ample opportunity to present all evidence.
"A fair opportunity was given," Mr Turner said.
The draft amendment, jointly proposed by the university and the Hobart City Council, relates to six buildings on the Sandy Bay campus: the Commerce building, UniPrint, Hytten Hall, the vice chancellor's office and two properties located on Sandy Bay Road and Grace Street.
The university wishes to subdivide almost 100 hectares of land on the upper campus, above Churchill Avenue, to allow it to dispose of assets surplus to requirement in that area.
Mr Spence said the upper part of the campus was a place of transition.
Justice Estcourt adjourned the court with a decision expected on Thursday, February 28.