Why move UTAS: UTAS answers your relocation questions
Hayden Johnson 14 Aug 2017, 10:01 a.m.
When will UTAS release consultation details?
Professor Adams: The community consultation process around Inveresk is underway at the moment following the release of the masterplan and the final reports are likely to come out early or mid-October.
What does the parking model look like?
Mr McKee: We’ve been working now for over 18 months with our key partners, particularly the Launceston City Council because of the significance of this issue.
That’s included some quite significant traffic flow and parking studies.
We can say there will be an increase, an overall increase in parking capability around the broader site precinct.
Part of that is thinking about it rather than a traditional, providing just enough parks in a development application – how do we think of this as a precinct and actually develop a parking strategy that helps alleviate some of the potential traffic congestion and possibly even existing traffic congestion.
There’s a piece of work at the moment that’s underway to finalise what David talked about in terms of those studies that have been going quite some time.
How do we manage parking as a precinct, not just as a university?
That takes into account events and where we might not need parkings on weekends then that is able to be utilised in event mode.
It’s really maximising parking.
Professor Adams: It’s really quite important to think that most of the world's best practice university campuses tend to have a much higher proportion of people walking, bicycling, using shared transport options, public transport options.
We need to build in the appropriate incentives and facilities so that we don’t think of it primarily as a carparking issue but how can we create a campus that is much more attuned to where we’re heading in terms of sustainability, in terms of connectivity to the city.
Is there a time on the development application?
Professor Adams: Not yet.
We’re looking for the feedback on the masterplan <http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4797352/sneak-peek-at-utas-master-plan/> at the moment – that’s our key priority.
That will then inform the design process which then sits alongside the development of the development application.
So we’re focussed on the masterplan feedback and that’s what we’re really encouraging people and looking for other people to encourage people to look at the information that’s out there.
UTAS $300m Plans unveiled ... http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3784825/utas-300m-plans-unveiled/
How much of the construction work will go to Tasmanian firms?
Mr McKee: We don’t have a predetermined figure around that but suffice to say we’re working hard. It’s part of our grant deeds with both the federal and state government. It’s part of our commitment to the community here that we will work in the interests with this community and do our best to create the environment where local providers will have the best chance to participate.
Why didn’t UTAS use a Tasmanian architecture firm for the concept plan?
Mr McKee: It went to open market and we chose the best tenderer. We still have to comply with procurement requirements – at all levels. Even though it’s a Melbourne-based firm, part of them coming here has been a commitment to helping engage with local firms. At the blunt edge it sounds like it was all about an external firm and that was done on a procurement basis and the best tender but we’ve tried to manage that so there’s a local outcome as well. It is that challenge for us. Experience and excellence and local procurement, and trying to find the best possible match of those so that we don’t compromise either too much.
Do you envisage that will be an issue through construction?
Mr McKee: It’s a balancing act.
Professor Adams: It’s also probably useful to note it’s a balancing act within what we’re doing because we have fairly significant builds bother here at Inveresk, at West Park and in Hobart. Whilst people expect us to move ahead quickly on all three fronts – we have to stage that, particularly if we want to maximise opportunities for Tasmanian involvement. If we tried to do all three at once we simply wouldn’t have within our Tasmanian industries the capability.
How will the move improve student education?
Professor Adams: By providing literally the world’s best facilities students are likely to be attracted here and have the best teaching and research facilities and importantly the best staff. In terms of the facility itself, it will attract the staff and the infrastructure that will enhance learning. Part of the want to come here is having a campus that is open, friendly, linked to the city doesn’t look like a traditional university but a place they want to spend time. It’s about a different way of teaching, it’s about world’s best practice capus, it’s about the connectivity to the city and about focusing at all times on the student experience. The best way to explain our masterplan is the primary principle driving it is; what will create the best student experience?
State government transfers UTAS $10 million for university's relocation ... http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4761474/utas-receives-first-of-state-government-funding-for-relocation/
What has the feedback been like?
Professor Adams: Most of the feedback we’re getting at the moment is really constructive. The opportunity to really articulate this has been helpful because people still are struggling to understand the, why move? That has been the key bit of feedback that’s come through the last couple of weeks.
Give your feedback
Engagement sessions will be held on August 18 from 11am to 2pm at the Brisbane Street Mall and on August 19 from 10am to 1pm at Alexandra Walk, Seaport, outside Peppers Resort.
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