Amendments to the University of Tasmania (Protection of Land) Bill will be brought on for debate in the final sitting week of Parliament for 2024.
Minister for the Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Madeleine Ogilvie, said that the Tasmanian Government's position is clear – we support UTAS and believe it is proper for both houses of Parliament to approve any land sell-off.
"Since the introduction of the Bill in the House, the University of Tasmania has been engaged in ongoing dialogue with government anticipating appetite to update the business case – to realise a STEM-led future onsite at Sandy Bay," Minister Ogilvie said.
"We are pleased that UTAS have presented its revised plan to build a state-of-the-art STEM facility at Sandy Bay.
"We will join UTAS in advocating to the Federal Government for funding, and acknowledge that their support is predicated on a co-investment by UTAS into this project.
"UTAS believe disposal of surplus land above Churchill will help achieve that goal and, following consultation, we will assist by proposing that land is excluded from our bill and available to the university unencumbered.
"This amendment still requires both houses of Parliament to approve this, which is consistent with the intent of our amendment.
"We believe this approach gets the balance right and ensures UTAS campus at Sandy Bay will remain while delivering a future-led STEM plan."
The amendments will include rezoning two parcels of land above Churchill Avenue.
