Building our Hobart University presence since 2007

This period reflects significant Federal and State Government investment to provide teaching, medical and research infrastructure in the Hobart CBD, through funding such as the Education Infrastructure Fund and Teaching and Learning Capital Fund.

2013 - 2018

The University continues to enhance its presence in the Hobart CBD including construction of Medical Sciences Precinct, Hedberg and student accommodation facilities, and undertakes impact assessments of moving the University campus more fully into the city.

2019 - 2023

With a substantial portion of the University already in the city and an aged Sandy Bay campus, University Council, after undertaking extended analysis and consultation, decides in 2019 to consolidate the University’s remaining Sandy Bay teaching and operations into the Hobart CBD over a ten-year period. Consultation continues through a two-day Appreciative Inquiry involving 400 people from across Greater Hobart, regular engagement with stakeholders, and a community panel known as The Shake Up, convened to inform the next steps of the city move and master plan. The University withdraws its Sandy Bay planning scheme amendment and master plan in response to results of an elector poll conducted in the City of Hobart municipality. The newly-built Podium and Hytten Hall buildings on Melville Street and the neighbouring refurbished Excelsior Biscuit Works open for University activities in the CBD. Work begins to restore the heritage Philip Smith Centre on The Domain and the vacant Forestry Building on Melville Street into new inner-city educational centres.

2024 onwards

The University reopens the historic Philip Smith Centre for teaching while significant upgrades begin to transform the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at Taroona into a world-class fisheries and aquaculture research and teaching precinct. The Australian Government sets major new policy and funding directions for higher education and the Tasmanian Government introduces legislation requiring both houses of Parliament to approve any sale or lease of land at the Sandy Bay campus. Momentum grows for a critically needed new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) facility to address Tasmania’s education and workforce needs and a STEM Appreciative Inquiry bringing together 65 students, University staff, government, industry and community representatives begins to shape this. After considering the evolving needs of Tasmania, students and staff, and community feedback, University Council announces a future direction for the Hobart campus that would see it distributed across four key sites – a plan contingent on government support and funding.

_{* This page was published to collate and consolidate resources formerly available at The University of Tasmania is consolidating into Hobart's CBD and Transforming our southern campus.}