The University of Tasmania today released a high-level concept plan for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) precinct at Sandy Bay to support 21st century teaching and research.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Life, Professor Nicholas Farrelly said new STEM facilities were critical to Tasmania’s future and would require investment in the order of $500 million.
“The concept plan, shaped by input from staff, students and stakeholders, is for a green, accessible Sandy Bay campus that brings the majority of STEM activities together around a central heart,” Professor Farrelly said.
The project would be delivered in three key stages ensuring continuity of teaching and research activities on site during detailed design and carefully managed construction and transition.
- Stage 1: Detailed site planning and retrofit of an existing building to create new spaces for Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering ($50 million)
- Stage 2: A major new build featuring a range of teaching, workshop and research lab spaces and the home of Chemistry and Earth Sciences ($300 million)
- Stage 3: A retrofit of existing buildings to create new facilities for Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences and a renewed Engineering workshop and Central Science Laboratory ($150 million).
“We are delighted at the announcement from Premier Jeremy Rockliff today that STEM at Sandy Bay is one of Team Tasmania’s economic priorities for the federal election,” Professor Farrelly said.
“This is a vital investment in education, science, skills and jobs for Tasmanians and we need support to realise it.
“It was in partnership with all levels of government, with broad support across the political spectrum, that we successfully delivered inspiring, state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities in Burnie and Launceston and together we can do the same for STEM at Sandy Bay.”
A STEM Campus at Sandy Bay will be one of four campus sites across Hobart alongside a City Campus, Historic Campus and Waterfront Campus. A key piece of the City Campus, the iconic Forestry building, is nearing completion and will be ready for staff and students for Semester 1 next year.
Humanities, Social Sciences and the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, as well as elements of our professional services, will move into Forestry, which creates the opportunity to revitalise the central Sandy Bay campus with a focus on STEM. Law, Pharmacy and Psychological Sciences will also remain on Sandy Bay.
Pictured in the banner image from left; Professor Erik Wapstra, head of research for the College of Sciences and Engineering, the Hon Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for Innovation, Science, and the Digital Economy, and Professor Nicholas Farrelly, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Life (Southern Tasmania)