University of Tasmania (Protection of Land) Bill 2025 (No 58)

Thursday 26 March 2026

[3.34 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I thank everyone who's briefed us, and we've had a number of meetings, plus I've had a tour of the affected site, and I do appreciate that there are very passionate people on both sides of the argument. At the end of the day, I must make a decision that I consider to be in the best interests of the students and the community.

Mr President, this bill has been on the horizon for quite some time. It has generated a great deal of public discussion, and I think we've all had quite a lot of feedback from the community with many varied opinions and concerns about what the future holds for this very important, very special site in Sandy Bay.

As already mentioned, Mr President, this bill seeks to prevent the University of Tasmania from disposing of land at its Sandy Bay campus without the explicit approval of both Houses of parliament. Additionally, I think it's fair to point out that the land at Sandy Bay, currently held by UTAS, was in fact a gift to the university in 1951. However, a lot has happened since then and I believe we should be supporting and facilitating the modernisation of UTAS, its campuses and the sites and properties involved.

We know that UTAS has been moving to establish a presence in the Hobart central business district since 2007. Universities that are embedded into the fabric of a city, rather than a physically separate entity, allow students, staff and academics to use the spaces, support services and businesses in the city, rather than only having the option of a couple of cafes and a refectory. By blending the university into the Hobart CBD, both the university and the city are better off. Importantly, so are the students, whose future relies on receiving a quality education. Interestingly, only this morning, I sat at a function with a mother who said that there was absolutely no way, or no easy way, for her child - I think he was 21, but, still a child - to easily reach Sandy Bay. He has no problem busing into the city. I think that anything that makes it easier for education is really important.

As the minister mentioned, this bill seeks to prevent unilateral action by the university to dispose of land which was gifted to it. I think it's important to note that, even with the university's moves to the Hobart CBD, they have made a commitment to retain a STEM precinct at Sandy Bay. As we already know, amendments made to this bill facilitate the progress of the STEM precinct by excluding land above Churchill Avenue from the protections in the bill and rezones that land from particular purpose zone 3 to inner residential. The minister has stated that this rezoning is the most pragmatic way to enable the university to progress the STEM precinct, avoiding the lengthy Hobart City Council rezoning process.

I don't believe it's necessary to delve into the controversies and politics that have surrounded this bill for years. I want to examine the merits of this bill, keeping the bigger picture in mind. What will make Tasmania an attractive place to study, to work and even stay in the longer term, especially for our young people? What kinds of facilities will be needed to give Tasmania a competitive edge over mainland universities, particularly for full‑fee paying international students who prioritise access, safety and quality of education? I believe that supporting this bill is the best way to achieve these aims. I've thought about it at length, had many conversations and visited the sites in question.

The buildings targeted, regarding the advancement of the STEM precinct, are old, dated and, to my mind, seemingly not fit for purpose. They've stood a long time and provided value for the students who've studied there over the past decades, but, as education delivery changes, the needs of students and teachers change, too. So, too, must the campus and its facilities. I think we'd be doing our students a great disservice if we didn't take seriously the need for modern facilities the STEM precinct sets to provide. If we want to attract the best students to come here to learn and the best teachers to teach them, then we need something to set us apart. This STEM precinct will help us to do that, and we need to show that we're actually listening to them.

A question that's been asked is, are bright, shiny and modern buildings important. Well, we all know that AI has a view, so I asked AI.

Members interjecting.

Ms ARMITAGE - Well, the member for Hobart had to agree yesterday that AI was in line with her thoughts.

Ms O'Connor - Which one?

Ms ARMITAGE - It was to do - probably the day before - with florfenicol.

Ms Forrest - Which AI bot did you go to?

Ms O'Connor - I don't go to any AI bots, just to be clear.

Ms Forrest - I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about the member for Launceston, who's on her feet.

Mr PRESIDENT - Order.

Ms ARMITAGE - I really wouldn't know.

Members interjecting.

Ms ARMITAGE - Look, it's AI, and I thought it actually summed up what I was thinking. So, I thought well, let's have a look and see what it says.

Ms Rattray - Don't you have to tell it what you're thinking before it sums it up?

Ms ARMITAGE - Well, I gave it an idea. Leader, I simply asked the question to see what it thought and I thought, 'well, this is interesting', because we had heard in briefings that sometimes bright, shiny buildings, are not always - so, it says:

Yes, bright, shiny and modern buildings can be a significant factor in attracting students to universities, often serving as flagship structures that symbolise innovation and high-quality education. Universities use these architectural developments to boost their competitive standing and improve their brand.

Ms Forrest - Why do you think I've been banging on about Montello Primary for so long?

Ms ARMITAGE - Absolutely.

Ms Palmer - We've done amazing things -

Ms ARMITAGE - I'm sure the minister is listening.

Modern campuses with well-designed spaces, frequently featuring glass walls, natural light and comfortable, flexible seating are designed to be sticky, meaning they encourage students to stay on campus longer to study, work and collaborate. These buildings often house state-of-the-art facilities that signal a forward-thinking high-tech educational experience. Beyond aesthetics, modern campus developments often include popular, vibrant and interactive spaces such as cafes, lounges and collaborative hubs, that enhance the social aspects of university life.

There is a lot more, but I won't go into all the rest because of time. However, I think it's worth making some of the other comments - we were provided with a document about supportive organisations and quotes because we so often hear how many of the teachers aren't keen. I think it's only worth some of the comments that we had here. Tasmanian University Student Association, and I'll just highlight some of their comments:

Students remain supportive of the university's plans for a STEM campus at Sandy Bay. Crucially, students have been involved in discussions of a new STEM precinct from the outset. Unlike past capital works, the university is not simply consulting after the decision, but rather co-designing these spaces with those who will use it most. This valuing of students' expertise ensures quality of experience within the precinct.

TasICT:

The university is be congratulated in seeking to reinvent and reinvigorate itself. Investing in a new STEM precinct at Sandy Bay is the right outcome for students, for industry and for Tasmania's future workforce.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS):

The Australian Computer Society strongly endorses the University of Tasmania's proposal for a dedicated STEM facility at the Sandy Bay campus.

Dr Angela Castles, Pro Vice‑Chancellor, Sciences and Engineering:

Redeveloping Sandy Bay will give researchers and students the places they need to collaborate, explore ideas and innovate, strengthening Tasmania's capacity in STEM for the future. This is an investment in our state, our teachers and academics, our young people and the ideas and opportunities that will benefit Tasmanian communities for years to come.

Prof Tim Finnigan, Head of School, Engineering:

Tasmania's engineers are poised to tackle tomorrow's challenges, but innovation needs the right environment. Redeveloping Sandy Bay will equip our students and researchers with modern facilities to create solutions, solve real world problems and contribute to a thriving state.

Prof Nicole Herbert, Head of School, Information and Communication Technology:

Emerging technology is impacting Tasmania's future and our graduates must be prepared to create the intelligent systems of the future. Modern, fit for purpose learning environments at Sandy Bay will enable our students to innovate, collaborate and contribute to a stronger, smarter state.

Prof Michael Rose, Director, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture:

Tasmania's agricultural and STEM research already has global impact, and now we have the chance to strengthen it further. Upgrading Sandy Bay will support innovation, help develop highly skilled graduates and deliver benefits across our industries and communities. Agricultural science will continue to be an important focus for teaching and research activities at Sandy Bay as part of the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture's statewide presence underpinning the productivity growth of Tasmania's agricultural sector.

And finally, Prof Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra, Dean, School of Natural Sciences:

Our scientists are exploring the questions that shape Tasmania in a national and global context, and their discoveries shape the future of this state and inspire the next generation. Updated facilities at Sandy Bay will allow staff and students to work at their best.

Even rezoning to inner residential, as this bill does, doesn't preclude educational buildings. I believe it futureproofs. Importantly, it allows for a balanced outcome where housing and a STEM precinct can coexist, delivering both new homes and long-term educational and economic value.

Rather than being in conflict within a residential's rezoning, a well designed and world-class STEM precinct such as the one which is proposed here, represents appropriate and strategic use of the land, where such valuable land falls in short supply in this region of the state, good design and long-term thinking will be extremely important.

We have heard that there's a possibility this may never happen. That the money may not be there for these developments. Well, in that case there is nothing precluding the educational components staying on inner-residential land as it certainly allowable. I really see that it does no harm.

I understand that many people in the community have a stake in this bill. Many Tasmanians have studied at the Sandy Bay campus; many have family and friends whose education or employment has been thanks to the university. Many people live nearby, whose homes, communities and businesses are shaped by the area and the people who go there to study.

I understand that this bill might change some of those things, and I haven't come to my decision lightly.

But I don't believe we do our university, it's staff and students or the very future of this state a service if we don't plan well now. We have so many natural advantages in Tasmania, but we need to leverage them, and I believe this bill helps to facilitate that.

I support the bill.