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The University of Tasmania's Law School has confirmed it will not be moving into Hobart's CBD, raising further questions about the university's move to the city.
The law faculty, along with the university's College of Business and Economics, was slated to move into the $131 million refurbishment of the former Forestry Tasmania building on Melville Street.
"I can confirm the Law School will stay at Sandy Bay," Law School dean Gino Del Pont said.
"The primary reason for opting to stay in Sandy Bay at this juncture is that we have a dedicated law building with excellent facilities for both staff and students."
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has been planning a "city-centric" campus since 2019. It includes plans to sell some parts of the Sandy Bay campus and lease other parts.
University 'needs to face reality'
The co-chair of the lobby group Save UTAS Campus, Mike Foster, said the Law School's decision to stay at Sandy Bay was a sign of what was to come.
Mr Foster said the College of Business and Economics had been moved from Sandy Bay to rented accommodation in the city while the old forestry building was being refurbished.
"All the [university] staff that have spoken to us say that a city location is a disaster for [the] business [college] as there is no parking so students and staff simply don't turn up," Mr Foster said.
"The university needs to face reality, and admit to the community that relocation isn't happening, and it needs to put on the market all of the properties it has under-utilised all over the city, including the forestry building."
He said the university should instead focus on revitalising the Sandy Bay campus.
A poll of Hobart City Council voters found 74 per cent were against the move in late 2022.
A week ago, UTAS announced it would sell two hotels in central Hobart that it purchased in 2018 and 2019.
The hotels had been bought to house international students, but neither had been used for that purpose for several years.
The university said it did not expect international student numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Students welcome Law School decision
Tasmania University Law Society president Mia Grant said students welcomed the decision to remain at Sandy Bay.
"Students will be able to continue to utilise the crucial facilities of the law library and moot court," Ms Grant said.
"Additionally, students can continue to attend in-person lectures and enjoy close proximity and relationships to faculty, all of which are imperative for the student experience and sense of community at the Law School."
UTAS deputy vice-chancellor Craig Barling said the university "is supportive of the decision" made by the Law School to stay at Sandy Bay.
"The development of [the] forestry [building] in Melville Street is progressing well and will not be impacted by this decision," Mr Barling said.
A UTAS spokesperson says the College of Business and Economics still plans to move into the forestry building when the refurbishment is complete.
The university bought the building, previously occupied by Forestry Tasmania (now known as Sustainable Timber Tasmania), in 2018 for $15 million — three times the market value.
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