## University of Tasmania Law School to Remain at Sandy Bay Campus
The University of Tasmania's Law School has confirmed it will not be relocating to Hobart's CBD, a decision that raises further questions about the university's broader move to the city.
The law faculty, along with the College of Business and Economics, was initially slated to move into the refurbished former Forestry Tasmania building on Melville Street, a project with a $131 million price tag. However, Law School dean Gino Del Pont has confirmed that the faculty will remain at its current location in Sandy Bay.
This decision comes amidst the university's ongoing "city-centric" campus plan, which has been in development since 2019. The plan includes selling and leasing parts of the Sandy Bay campus, a move that has faced criticism from some stakeholders.
Mike Foster, co-chair of the lobby group Save UTAS Campus, sees the Law School's decision as a sign of potential challenges with the city-centric approach. He points to the College of Business and Economics, which has already moved to temporary rented accommodation in the city while awaiting the completion of the forestry building refurbishment.
According to Foster, the college's experience has been negative, with staff and students citing a lack of parking as a major inconvenience. He argues that the university should instead focus on revitalizing the Sandy Bay campus.
A poll conducted in late 2022 among Hobart City Council voters revealed that 74% were opposed to the university's move to the city center. Additionally, the university recently announced the sale of two hotels in central Hobart that were originally intended to house international students. However, neither hotel has been used for this purpose in recent years, and the university expects international student numbers to remain below pre-pandemic levels.
The decision to keep the Law School at Sandy Bay has been welcomed by students. Tasmania University Law Society president Mia Grant highlighted the importance of maintaining access to crucial facilities like the law library and moot court, as well as the benefits of in-person lectures and close proximity to faculty.
UTAS deputy vice-chancellor Craig Barling expressed support for the Law School's decision, while a university spokesperson confirmed that the College of Business and Economics still plans to move into the forestry building upon completion of the refurbishment.
However, the university's purchase of the building in 2018 for $15 million, three times its market value, continues to raise questions about the financial implications of the city-centric campus plan.