The City of Launceston council will push ahead with its plans to lease an Invermay site to the University of Tasmania, to build a $5 million car park, after finding it was not contrary to public interest.
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Five representations, objecting to the council's intention to lease part of the 2 Invermay Road site to UTAS, were not enough to show councillors the lease would be contrary to public interest at Thursday's meeting.
The price for UTAS to lease the public land off Forster Street off the council has not been determined yet.
The council will be responsible for 'reasonable maintenance' of the site and mayor Albert van Zetten said the cost to the council for doing so would be factored into lease negotiations.
"This will also be offset by the revenue received from council's share of the car parking spaces," he said.
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The proposed car park is part of UTAS' $360 million relocation plans and will create more than 850 spaces for the public, students and staff.
At its March 19 meeting, the council voted in favour to lease the land to UTAS for a period of 20 years with an option to extend. However the public had to be notified and allowed to comment before it could go ahead.
Councillor Janie Finlay said she acknowledged some parties would feel aggrieved by the council's decision.
"It's not a quick decision, it's not a short time decision, it's definitely not a rubber stamp," she said.
"I believe there has been reasonable time and there is significant support to ... provide solutions to the ongoing concerns."
UTAS will still need to submit a development application for the car park.
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