An exciting future for IMAS Taroona

The University of Tasmania is transforming the existing Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) site at Taroona into a world-class fisheries and aquaculture research and teaching precinct.

IMAS Taroona is being transformed

The upgrades will strengthen the Institute’s work to conserve threatened species like the red hand fish and Maugean skate, monitor climate change, and help preserve the local marine environment while ensuring sustainable wild capture fisheries and aquaculture industries into the future.

Teaching programs in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture, and marine and resource management will be enabled on-site, providing a real-world learning experience as students work alongside international research leaders in these fields. The site will also house a state-of-the-art aquarium system for the conservation and management of Antarctic krill, which are critical to Southern Ocean ecosystems and food security.

The IMAS Taroona upgrades include:

  • Construction of a new building hosting a teaching lab, wet lab and research facilities enabling IMAS’ research to be integrated with its teaching programs, making them applicable to real-world scenarios
  • Construction of a new krill research aquarium in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) named the Dr Isobel Bennett Southern Ocean Research Aquarium which will be co-located on-site where world-leading research, conservation and management of Antarctic krill will be conducted
  • Addition of a new site entrance and car park along with other improvements, making the site more welcoming and accessible to students, staff and the community
  • Upgrades to services infrastructure including extending the existing saltwater discharge pipe outlet next to the Taroona Foreshore Track near the IMAS Taroona campus

Drop-in sessions

We really appreciate the wonderful community conversations so far. We will be hosting quarterly drop-in sessions as construction continues where you can hear about the latest progress and ask any questions you might have.

29 April 2025
5:30pm

Register

29 July 2025
5:30pm

Register

28 October 2025
5:30pm

Register

27 January 2026
5:30pm

Register

Construction information

While the transformation of IMAS Taroona is underway, there will be increased construction traffic, noise and impacts within proximity of the site. Temporary road and path closures may be required from time to time to prioritise the community’s safety as infrastructure upgrades take place. Please take care if passing through the area, and thank you for your patience and understanding while our contractors work to deliver this project with the least amount of disruption possible.

Contractor activity will occur Monday – Friday between 7am – 6pm with occasional work on a Saturday.

Have a question?

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IMAS Taroona transformation construction camera

Campus Construction

Site updates

Over the coming months, contractor activities will focus on advancing the building structure in preparation for roofing which will begin before the cooler months set in. Key tasks during this period include:

  • Post-tensioned slab construction
  • Installation of pre-cast concrete walls
  • Adding steel and mass timber framing

These activities are significant in scale, and material deliveries will be arriving on-site. Due to the large size of some materials, vehicle movement along Nubeena Crescent may be temporarily restricted for safety reasons. We will continue to manage any disruptions and appreciate your understanding as work progresses on this exciting phase of the development.

An aerial image showing the IMAS Taroona construction site

An aerial view of construction activity at the IMAS Taroona site. Photo credit: Richard Verrall

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.

Site Manager
VOS Construction & Joinery
Adrian Easther
Mobile: 0458 325 140
Email: aeasther@vosgroup.com

University of Tasmania
Project Manager, Capital Works
Benjamin Greaves
Email: Campus.Transformation@utas.edu.au

Frequently asked questions

The Taroona site has hosted a fisheries and aquaculture research centre for more than fifty years. First operated by the Department of Sea Fisheries, it became the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) in 1998, and later became the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). At the Taroona site, IMAS has conducted critical research that has contributed to our understanding of climate change, preserving and managing the local marine environment and wild capture fisheries, monitoring the sustainable development and impacts of aquaculture, and protecting and conserving threatened species like the red handfish and Maugean skate. Modern, specialised facilities are required to continue this important work, realise the full potential of the expertise on site, and train the marine and fisheries scientists of the future. This is the facility’s first major overhaul since opening in 1970 and will enable IMAS to continue shaping a positive, sustainable future for the planet by increasing its research capability. The improvements are also supporting the delivery of teaching programs on site while making the facility far more accessible and welcoming to all.

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.

Kingborough Council approved the DA in March 2023 with Tasmanian firm VOS Construction & Joinery commencing activity on-site in April 2024. Key achievements of the construction timeline so far include:

  • Significant rock and soil from excavation work being repurposed and integrated as part of landscaping and civil works to reduce refuse.
  • Completion of the boat shed extension on-site, including the addition of an aquaculture feed production space used for undergraduate teaching in first semester this year, the first timetabled teaching at the Taroona campus.
  • Completion of the new building’s foundations, with the installation of precast concrete panels to the façade 50% complete.

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.

During the construction period, 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. We appreciate your patience and understanding while both the University and contractors work 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. During construction work hours, the eastern end of Nubeena Crescent is speed-limited 30km/h with temporary road signage in place. At all other times, the speed limit remains 50km/h. The IMAS Taroona campus is a shared zone with a 10km p/h speed limit.

The section of the pedestrian 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.

We are excited to share the sustainable steps being taken in the IMAS Taroona redevelopment project. Through careful design and the use of innovative materials, we are aiming for a 24% reduction in upfront embodied carbon—the total carbon emissions generated during the building's early stages, from construction through to the production of materials, before the building begins operation. Here are some of the key sustainable practices:

  • Boral Envisia Concrete: We’re using pre-cast concrete panels made from Boral Envisia, a lower-carbon concrete alternative. These panels are fabricated off-site, reducing emissions linked to on-site construction activities, like trade and vehicle movement - —which reduces traffic impact to Nubeena Crescent as well.
  • XLAM Mass timber: Parts of the building structure will be made using XLAM Mass timber—a strong, low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete and steel comprised of layers of timber formed into large posts, beams and panels.
  • Native coastal fauna: We are enhancing the site’s biodiversity by planting native coastal flora and employing water-sensitive design measures to help retain water within the landscaping. Some tree removal has been required to accommodate the development, but saplings have been successfully germinated from these trees for inclusion in the landscape, ensuring continued regeneration.
  • Tree protection zones: To preserve the existing natural environment, tree protection zones have been established on-site, and a large section of the headland reserve at the south-western portion of the campus will be returned to the community.
  • Repurposing materials for wildlife: Materials that were no longer required and needed removing from the site prior to construction commencing were donated to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to be repurposed for building new animal enclosures, helping support local wildlife.

These initiatives are part of our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. We look forward to keeping the community informed as the project progresses.

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

We are proud to share that most trades, contractors and consultants working on this project are Tasmanian-based. This involvement ensures we are benefiting and drawing on the skills and expertise within our own community while contributing to the local economy by supporting employment with up to 150 jobs associated with this project, and fostering long-term economic growth in the region. This approach strengthens our connection to the community while also delivering a high-quality, sustainable project.

Key businesses and suppliers contributing to the IMAS Taroona transformation (Tasmanian businesses denoted in bold):

Key partners:
Preston Lane Architects
Rare Innovation
VOS Construction & Joinery

Sub-consultants and sub-contractors:
Andrew Sutherland Consulting
Arup 
All Urban Planning
Barratt Masonry 
Brid River
Brock Plaster Cooke and Dowsett
Contact Electrical
Cova Group
Crisp Bros
DDM Civil
Eco Tas
Engineering Services Tasmania
Fresh By Design
Gandy and Roberts Consulting Noise Vibration Consulting
GeoTas
Into Aqua
KONE 
O.P. Industries 
PDA Surveyors
Philip Jackson Arborist 
Playstreet
Raymark Roofing 
Richo’s Rendering
RIS Safety
Sealed Solutions
Slattery
Stephen Little Constructions
Tas Span
Thompson Floor Covering
Tom Moore & Son
Total Prefab
Ummow Wooster
Walter Welding
Westland Nursery
XLAM

Tasmanian suppliers:
ACROW, Analytical Services Tasmania, ARC Tassteel, Archers Underground Services, AWM Electrical, Beresford Electrical Powerlines Tas, Bunnings Group Limited, Buildtech Supplies Pty Ltd, Clennetts Mitre 10, Coates Hire, CJT Concrete Pumping, Diamond Solutions, Gil Direens Aphalting, Dunbabin Contracting, Drillcut Pty Ltd, Eye Spy Signs, Euro Signs and Graphics, FIRESAFE Equipment, Forze Explosive Services, Hanson Construction, Hazell Bros, Hobart Arbor, Hobart Plant Hire Pty Ltd, Hudson Civil Products, Independent Sheet Metal, Initial Hygiene, Jim’s Test and Tag, Juicy Isle Pty Ltd, KAR-TAS Cleaning, Kone, Konnect, Mal’s Hire and Hardware, Noble Concrete and Excavation, Nubco Pty Ltd, Officeworks, Peacock Darcy and Anderson Surveyors, Powerlines Tas, Reece Plumbing, RB and SJ Hire, RMD Fence and Gate Supplies, South East Traffic Management, Stratex Pty Ltd, Tas-X Contracting, Tasbulk Pty Ltd, Terrace Trading, Total Prefab, Tradie Bins and Hire, Veolia and Weatherfoil.

Our news and stories

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For the first time ever, a baby Maugean skate has hatched from an egg laid in captivity – and scientists are looking forward to more arrivals soon.

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Building world-class fisheries and aquaculture facilities for students, staff and community

Work is underway to transform the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at Taroona into a world-class fisheries and aquaculture research and teaching precinct.

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50 years of marine research at IMAS Taroona, driving sustainability in fisheries, aquaculture, and wildlife conservation. Discover the exciting future ahead!

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