There have been heated scenes at a public meeting called over the University of Tasmania's planned move into the CBD which has attracted fierce opposition.
The Hobart City Council was forced to hold the meeting after the Save UTAS Campus group's petition opposing the move from the Sandy Bay campus received more than 1,000 signatures.
Denis McLoughlin, who has operated retail stores in the CBD for the past 50 years, said mixing education with business would "lead to chaos" and displace customers.
"The move into the city by UTAS, which will soon bring thousands of students and staff into the CBD daily to study and not to shop," he said.
"Imagine a Harvey Norman or a Super Cheap Auto decided to build new shops in the middle of the Sandy Bay campus? There would be justified outrage.
Before the meeting, the council received 109 submissions, with only three in favour of the move.
Those opposed to the move cited concerns around increased traffic congestion and a lack of on-street parking in the CBD.
About a third believed there had not been a proper consultation process between UTAS and stakeholders.
There were some reports that staff and students were not involved in discussions and were fearful of speaking out against the project.
Students want more say
Amelia Flynn, a second-year UTAS student and president of a residential college near the current campus said she and her peers felt "neglected" by university management.
"I'm studying business and the faculty is in a really weird part of the city, so it doesn't really feel like you're going to uni," she said.
"From a student standpoint I'd really just like to be consulted by the uni; just for them to ask what we want and why they're also being made and just a survey of people's opinions," Mr Flynn said.
Margaret Taylor, a mother of three UTAS graduates, spoke in favour of the proposal, saying it made "good sense".
"In the immediate future, construction of new buildings will provide employment," she said.
"This employment should include apprenticeships in most areas of the construction industry providing a young, skilled workforce for the state into the future.
"Delaying the proposals diverts time and funding from teaching, learning and research which are vital functions of our university."
Submissions in favour of the redevelopment suggested the current Sandy Bay campus was outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
Some said the move would bring life into the city and that the development of 2,700 private residences at the Sandy Bay site would provide critical housing opportunities.
Uni wants to 'hear the public voice'
UTAS vice-chancellor Rufus Black said he understood the process so far had not allowed the community to feel heard.
"You're here tonight in part because you feel the proposal doesn't make sense and things we've said about it haven't explained it … I'm here to listen to those concerns," he said.
"They matter a lot to us and that's why me, my senior colleagues, our chancellor, our deputy chancellor, are here to ensure we hear the public voice."
The independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said unless the state government and the council could show there had been a transparent approval process, the community had the right to scrutinise the project.
"As I have said from the start, I support the UTAS relocation so long as all reasonable community concerns are addressed," Mr Wilkie said.
"So far they have not been, as evidenced by the widespread community concern with the project, especially regarding the future use of the Sandy Bay site.
"I've asked hundreds of people about the relocation and the great majority have expressed concerns to me of one nature or another.
"The university needs to release full details and better explain, and justify, the rationale for the relocation.
"It also needs to be open-minded about adjusting the plan in response to community feedback."
Mr Wilkie said he was not aware of any agreement between UTAS and the federal government to help fund the project and said any financial support should only be accepted if the project could show it had achieved a genuine social licence.
Outcomes from the meeting will be considered at next Monday's council meeting.
