Question & Answer – Kingston Learning Centre and Parking

November 11, 2025

Kingston learning Centre

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Regarding the long-term security of the Kingston Learning Centre based at the old Kingston Primary School site, are you aware of ongoing concern over access to the U3A Kingborough and other community organisations reliant upon access to the learning centre facility, including important car parking facilities? Can you confirm that despite the promised community liaison on this matter, it now appears that community groups have been locked out of parking facilities on the premises, including the lawn area where they have parked previously?

Further, can you confirm the government is considering plans to redevelop the old Kingston Primary School site? If this is the case, is it also the intention for the Kingston Library to be relocated from its current site? Finally, is it the intention for the government to sell this site or undertake the redevelopment itself, and what consultation has occurred regarding any redevelopment plans for this site?

ANSWER

Mr President, the Kingston Learning Centre car park was recently closed for several weeks by Libraries Tasmania due to a safety incident. I am deeply mindful of the impact this closure has had on valued community groups and recognise the disruption the closure caused. It is important to remember it happened because there was a safety incident. I understand a section of the car park was reopened on 29 September with safety measures in place to reasonably manage risks. These concerns are being carefully balanced with the need to ensure there is public safety, which remains the highest priority.

I understand Libraries Tasmania has worked with affected client groups and the vast majority have been able to be accommodated in the two main buildings that are accessible via the reopened car park. I am also advised Libraries Tasmania held a community forum at Kingston Library in early October 2025 and it will continue to provide the community with regular updates.

With regard to some of your latter questions, I certainly have no awareness of any plans to redevelop the site or indeed to sell the site.

Kingston Learning Centre – Parking

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Is the minister aware there’s still significant inadequacy in terms of car parking. While there was one safety issue in many years that might have triggered the closure of the car parks, there now are significant safety issues with elderly people having to park elsewhere and walk
to the site across busy roads?

Is the minister aware that many of these U3A and other participants have protested today by having elderly people who have to walk across the road doing so together outside the facility in Kingston to demonstrate the safety risk? Is the minister aware of that safety risk?

ANSWER

Mr President, we want to have these sites first and foremost safe and think that’s a very reasonable position to take.

My expectation of Libraries Tasmania is it engages with the community, keeping them up to date about what is happening in that area. As far as I am aware, it is doing that.

I am very aware of the disappointment and the level of frustration for the many users of that area. We are certainly working through what is a good solution, rather than just a bandaid fix on what can we do to have a long-term solution.

In the meantime, my expectation is, and I have no reason to believe it’s not happening, that Libraries Tasmania is certainly communicating and trying to keep the communities as up to date as it can.