An exciting future for IMAS Taroona

Over the summer period, contractor activity will focus on establishing the base foundations and structure of the building which will comprise large, pre-cast suspended concrete walls and mass timber frames. From mid-November deliveries of pre-cast concrete will begin arriving on site, which due to their size, may temporarily restrict vehicle movements along Nubeena Crescent for safety reasons.

TasNetworks is currently upgrading energy infrastructure in the Taroona area including near the IMAS Taroona redevelopment. These activities are managed by TasNetworks. For further information on these infrastructure works, please reach out to TasNetworks: 132 004 or https://www.tasnetworks.com.au/forms/submit-an-enquiry

A separate, smaller-scale project is also underway at the IMAS Taroona site to renovate existing infrastructure to create a new laboratory housing specialist equipment and aquariums to support research and preservation of the endangered Maugean Skate. This work will be continuing through to April 2025.

Adrian Easther
Mobile: 0458 325 140
Email: aeasther@vosgroup.com

The new purpose-built teaching and research facility being delivered through the IMAS Taroona upgrades will enable components of two majors from the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Studies to be taught on site (Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management), along with two majors from the Master of Marine and Antarctic Studies (Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Management). The new building will feature contemporary teaching and research training laboratories for studying tropical and temperate species. Students will have unique, real-world learning experiences as they work and study alongside industry partners and international research leaders.

Due to the high-quality aquaculture facilities onsite and the proximity to the River Derwent to access seawater, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has chosen to co-locate its world-class krill research facility on the Taroona site. Locating the krill facility at the IMAS Taroona site will enable scientists and researchers from both IMAS and AAD to work even more closely towards shared, positive outcomes for the environment. This partnership builds on IMAS’ existing work with AAD and Hobart’s position as the gateway to Antarctica.

After the DA was approved by Kingborough Council in March 2023 the University worked closely with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) to finalise the necessary contractual arrangements for the new krill research facility to be built at the IMAS Taroona site. Tasmanian firm VOS Construction was awarded the contract for the Taroona upgrades and began construction on site in April 2024. This activity is continuing and is due to be completed in 2026.

Yes, regular drop-in sessions are being held at the nearby Taroona Bowls and Community club which community members are invited to attend to learn about the latest progress and ask any questions. Upcoming opportunities are being shared on this website. Alternatively, please email us at Campus.Transformation@utas.edu.au.

Nubeena Crescent will remain open and accessible to residents, road users and pedestrians during the works, but from time-to-time there will be temporary impacts, closures and alternative traffic and pedestrian access in the proximity of the IMAS Taroona site for safety reasons. As with all construction projects, there will be varying levels of noise as the upgrades are carried out. Contractors will be working to keep disruptions to a minimum. University and contractor vehicle parking will be located on site with provision for overflow in the nearby football public car park during business hours to avoid any impacts to residential on-street parking. Once construction activity is complete, the new IMAS car park will be made available after hours to residents and users of nearby facilities such as the football club.

The section of the track which runs alongside the IMAS Taroona site will remain open during the works. In the early stages of the site upgrades, contractors will be improving the services infrastructure which is located on the river side of the path that will involve extending the existing saltwater discharge pipe to mitigate flows impacting the shoreline.

The University of Tasmania owns the site.

Native coastal fauna will be planted on the site. Select tree removal will be required to accommodate the development with saplings germinated from seeds harvested from these trees included in the landscape remediation. Tree protection zones will be established in early April prior to the commencement of the main construction activity, including a large section of the headland reserve being given back to the community. In preparation for the upgrades, materials that were no longer required and needed removing from the site were donated to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and are being repurposed to help build new animal enclosures.

Since planning and development commenced in 2020, a range of community conversations have been underway, which have been important in shaping the final design produced by Preston Lane Architects.