A once in a lifetime opportunity

The Property Council today welcomed the opportunity to participate in a public forum discussing the proposed move of the University of Tasmania from Newnham to the Inveresk Campus.

Executive Director Brian Wightman, noted a reasonable albeit sparse Albert Hall crowd was in attendance to hear from the proponents and to ask questions on behalf of the community.

Mr Wightman acknowledged that the Tasmanian Division remained extremely supportive of the proposed move, recognising that education is a major economic driver with untapped potential in our state.

“Launceston has the chance to become a truly world class university city.  We are being presented with a once in a lifetime educational and economic opportunity which should be grasped with both hands.

“Tasmania has an educational story to tell which has not always been positive, however this project could provide the impetus for cultural change,” Mr Wightman said.

The Property Council also recognised the importance of the economic stimulus that the project would deliver for the Northern Tasmanian region.

“A $220 million project creating up to 0 jobs during construction and enabling further jobs into the future will transform our city and region.

“Potential investment opportunities will also provide huge benefits for the people of Newnham and surrounding suburbs with the possibility of jobs and economic growth,” Mr Wightman said.

Mr Wightman encouraged all those interested in the project to think about the city of Launceston that they would like to see in ten years time and if it’s a prosperous, strong community which delivers jobs then this project should be supported.

“Suspend judgment, keep an open mind, learning must become a good news story for Tasmania and the proposed investment by the University of Tasmania will provide the much needed educational and economic stimulus that we desperately need,” he concluded.