The University of Tasmania was busting a gut over the summer, creating 300 more student beds in Hobart for the start of semester.

The university was a victim of its own success last year, creating accomm which senior students in residence do not want to leave. In the past 60 per cent or so moved into independent digs for each new year but the quality of the university’s halls and Hobart’s tight rental market mean more want to stay, leaving less room for freshers.

It all got a bit tense in December (CMM December 12) but on the Friday before Christmas, VC Rufus Black said “around the clock work” meant there was enough beds to go around. “Current residents can head into Christmas knowing they have an accommodation place if they want one,” Professor Black said. This is said to include 60 refurbed and utilities-connected shipping containers previously used at Queensland mine-sites to temporarily accommodate 180 students, with a development application lodged with Hobart council on Christmas Eve.