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| Click here for Prof Rathjen's Biography |
In Leon Compton’s intro on Wednesday morning on ABC Mornings, he suggested that Prof Rathjen would be talking about their central Hobart and central Launceston developments.
He spoke relatively briefly before the news, but only about the proposed Science development on a carpark site near their new accommodation facility which could occur within 5 years. He said that it was the only education project in Australia supported by Infrastructure Australia, which he said he believed was remarkable and gave great strength to the project.
The interview concluded by Prof saying how important that (parts of ?) the Sandy Bay facilities move to a more central location in Hobart because of the poor public transport systems in Hobart and the time it takes (more than an hour?) for some students to get to Sandy Bay.
He made no reference to students studying on-line and how this would be an international opportunity in coming years.
Then the news and he didn’t return to talk about Launceston, so I rang ABC and was told he had to dash off, but that Leon would be asked if he could return sometime to talk about Launceston. Leon also indicated he had an interest because his partner works for the University.
I was interested in asking Prof Rathjen what Infrastructure Australia thought about developing educational infrastructure in Launceston on the flood plains and in context of substandard sewerage and drainage systems.
I intended putting to him that The Launceston Flood Risk Management Deed entered into by The Crown and Launceston City Council as the basis for the rebuilding of the Inveresk Levees, that LCC MUST (via its Planning Scheme) many restrictions and prohibitions in the 1:100 year flooding areas in Invermay, including:
- To prohibit new schools and other educational facilities;
- Aged care homes and any essential services premises or similar premises;
Furthermore I believe that there is a State Policy on development in flood risk areas, also contravened.
Regards,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
Launceston TAS 7250
FROM TANDRA: Now that was Wednesday and on Thursday
Mayor Van Zetten said he was concerned the Hobart development would put potential funding approval for the planned Launceston university relocation in question.
Mayor Van Zetten was only informed of the development plans through a phone call yesterday, the same day the announcement was released in the media.
Since then Prof Rathjen has advised that any expansion or repositioning of the UTas Launceston campus would not be funded via the Federal Govt's Infrastructure Fund. Rather, any Federal funding needed for that would need to come directly from the Federal and State Govt. budgets.
Under the "austerity cloud" funding for UTas' Launceston proposal is beginning to look more tenuous.
At a Public Meeting attended over 100 concerned citizen of Launceston, and attended by only two Aldermen, diverse range of views were presented and discussed.
After considerable deliberation that meeting resolved to move just one main motion.
It is as follows:
“That this group of people identifying themselves as ratepayers and residents of the City of Launceston calls upon Council to rescind the Motion passed by full Council Meeting 9th November 2015 Item 20-20.1 To transfer land known as Willis Street Car Park and old Velodrome site at Inveresk to UTas for free gift.”
Furthermore, it was requested that Council respond to the meeting via a media release within 30 days. Council has been informed by OPEN LETTER and as yet there has been no response to the letter.
Given unfolding events following the meeting, and given that Council meets next Monday, there has been no indication that Council is moving to protect ratepayers from exposure to burgeoning costs and lost opportunities relative to future development at Inveresk.
1 comment:
Let's face it....the Mayor is a complete ass.
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