Ambos issue timely advice

No one wants to spend the new year in the back of an ambulance.

THINK before you drink is the resounding message from Ambulance Tasmania chief Dominic Morgan as the state prepares to ring in 2013.

Mr Morgan said ending up in the back of an ambulance was never the ideal end to an otherwise fun night.

"So many accidents that happen over the summer festive period are preventable," he said in a statement.

"By planning in advance, many people can not only have a fun night but a safe night as well.

"Much of the ambulance workload, especially on New Year's Eve, involves alcohol-related illness or injury -- whether it be falls, excessive consumption or accidents on the road.

"I particularly urge Tasmanians not to mix drinking and driving -- the potential consequences are too high and entirely preventable.

"It's easy to have a discussion about a designated driver or taxi in advance.

"It's also important to drink plenty of water when consuming alcohol and try to alternate drinks with something non-alcoholic. Eating regularly is also a good idea.

"Our message to the Tasmanian public is have a happy New Year and hopefully one that happens without a hitch or the need for paramedics."

Mr Morgan also reminded the public that calling 000 should be reserved for true emergencies.

The latest figures from the Tasmania Police festive road blitz show 67 motorists have been picked up for drink driving since December 23, with another 20 testing positive for drugs.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Our own instant millionaire

A DEVONPORT man will enter 2013 as a millionaire after winning $1.4 million in TattsLotto's $30 million Megadraw at the weekend.

The man was one of two Tasmanians to collect winnings in the Megadraw. The other lucky man was from the Launceston suburb of Newstead.

The Devonport man bought his winning unregistered QuickPick entry from Centre Newsagency and Lotto in the Woolworth's Arcade in his home town.

He told Tatts officials it would change his life.

"When I checked the TattsLotto results in the newspaper, I just kept crossing the numbers off one by one. I started thinking 'well, this looks promising'," he said.

"Now I will be able to buy a lot of things I couldn't afford before."

He also intends to travel.

In the 2012 calendar year, 10 Tasmanian have scored division-one prizes totalling more than $11.5 million.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bikie boss in Tassie buy up

THE boss of one of Australia's most notorious bikie gangs has been buying up property across Tasmania.

The Mercury can reveal Sydney-based Rebels Motorcycle Club national president Alessio Emmanuel "Alex" Vella has bought several properties in the state and owns real estate in Hobart, Launceston and Sorell.

Police say the Tasmanian branch of the Rebels has high-level links to the operation and control of the national motorcycle gang.

Apart from Mr Vella's properties, his son, Alex Jr, is listed as the owner of waterfront land at Triabunna.

That land, which locals say has only ever housed a large shed, was previously owned by the parents of a Tasmanian Rebels president.

The Tasmanian properties owned by Alex Vella house Rebel clubhouses at Letitia St in North Hobart, Merino St in Kings Meadows and in suburban Sorell.

Mr Vella has drug convictions.

"It's of concern that someone with a criminal history such as Mr Vella has close ties with Tasmania and comes to the state quite frequently," said Tasmania Police drug squad boss John Arnold, who is Tasmania's representative on the Australian Federal Police's anti-Rebels taskforce, Attero.

Detective-Inspector Arnold said it was a serious issue for Tasmania.

"The Tasmanian Rebels try to abrogate themselves from the illegal activities of the club interstate, when Mr Vella's property interests make it clear they have strong links with those activities at the highest level," he said.

With eight chapters in Tasmania comprising 50 patched members, police say the Rebels have long tried to paint a positive picture of the club with their participation in charity events such as the Christmas Toy Run and by saying that they are a community-friendly group of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.

But the PR campaign hit a hurdle when a dozen members and associates were arrested in Launceston last year in an alleged $450,000 methamphetamine trafficking ring bust.

And police say the Rebels continue to play a key role in the distribution of methamphetamine in this state.

"The Launceston experience would tell us some of the members are heavily involved in the manufacture and distribution and they certainly are interstate, so it would be naive to think they're not still involved here," Insp Arnold said.

The AFP and police in all states and territories have a task force Attero, whose purpose is to eradicate the Rebels.

Police in Tasmania are asking Tasmanians to provide information on the Rebels' locations and activities.

"What we're saying is ring Crime Stoppers where your anonymity can be protected, because any information about their presence in the state and their movements is of value to us," Insp Arnold said.

The Mercury sought comment from the Rebels but none was received.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Energy honeymoon over

THE honeymoon period for Aurora customers is to come to an end, with electricity disconnections set to more than double in Tasmania in the next 12 months.

Aurora had given Tasmanian customers a four-month amnesty on disconnections as they rolled out a new billing system in the last half of this year.

However, the company has warned it will soon be operating like energy companies in other states, which have been disconnecting customers at a growing rate.

In Victoria, 24,000 households had their power cut off in the past year -- a 33 per cent increase from 2011. Disconnections in South Australia have grown by 38 per cent, Queensland 20 per cent, and New South Wales 25 per cent.

Aurora spokesman Richard Wilson said the company expected 2000 disconnections next year -- double the average of 1000 disconnections a year for the past two years.

Only 226 Aurora customers lost their power in 2011-12 because of the four-month amnesty on disconnections to allow a new billing system to be installed, Mr Wilson said.

Disconnections dropped from 998 in 2010-11 to 226 in 2011-12. Of these, 178 were residential customers and 11 were businesses.

Mr Wilson said making regular payments through a payment plan was the best way to avoid a disconnection.

"Disconnections are the worst outcome for everyone but especially for the customer," he said. "It affects their credit rating and they lose their electricity supply."

Mr Wilson said the company had arranged 2490 payment plans in the last quarter.

The increased disconnections will come as a blow to the State Government, which is set to sell Aurora customers at the end of the year into a full retail contestable market.

Energy expert Frontier Economics director Danny Price told the Mercury in late October concerns about the credit ratings of Aurora customers and Aurora's market monopoly were scaring off energy retailers.

He said the sale of energy customers on the mainland had generated about $1000 to $1500 per customer but Aurora would be lucky to get $300 per customer.

jennifer.crawley@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Springs resort concept reborn

A computer-generated image of the Mount Wellington Springs proposal.

HOBART'S Lord Mayor Damon Thomas is championing the long-abandoned vision of an eco-resort at The Springs on Mount Wellington.

The Hobart City Council hopes to secure federal funding for an upgrade of the public toilets and parking at The Springs, which Ald Thomas believes will encourage developer Ali Sultan to proceed with his proposed visitor centre at the site.

But the mayor is not content to stop there.

"More importantly (the upgrade) opens up the chance for this high class eco-lodge," Ald Thomas said.

"It will really put the icing on the cake."

The council this month applied for a Regional Development Australia Fund grant to undertake a $2.5 million upgrade of visitor infrastructure at The Springs, including new toilets, a covered boardwalk, tracks and picnic areas as well as bus and car parking.

Ald Thomas said Mr Sultan had indicated if that work went ahead, his company Sultan Holdings would proceed with the plans for a visitor centre and restaurant.

A spokesman for Sultan Holdings said that a successful upgrade "wouldn't do any harm" to the prospect of a major development resort.

"We are aware of council's position and we have said to them to come back to us if the funding is approved," the spokesman said.

The plans for the building, designed by Hobart architect Robert Morris-Nunn, have been in the pipeline for 12 years.

A 50-room eco-tourism resort concept was abandoned in 2006.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

A bit of sparkle for ill children

FAIRY godmother Fairy Sparkle waved her magic wand and lifted spirits on a special visit to the Royal Hobart Hospital paediatric ward yesterday.

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation ambassador's first visit to the RHH coincided with the arrival in Hobart of yacht Ragamuffin Loyal in the Sydney to Hobart race.

Ragamuffin Loyal has raised $2 million for the charity, which has donated several thousand dollars worth of medical equipment to the hospital over the past three years.

Describing Fairy Sparkle's work as "absolutely magical", Humpty Dumpty Foundation founder Paul Francis said she brought a special sparkle to sick children in hospitals around the country.

"She somehow manages to make people smile and laugh in their darkest hour," he said.

A full-time fairy godmother for the past 16 years, Fairy Sparkle said she believed it was the sickest children she helped the most.

elizabeth.lord@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ready, set, Taste

Prue O'Shanesy, of Josef Chromy Wines, and Isaac Vitesnik, of Mountain Pepper Pizza, show their tasty wares. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

TASMANIA'S most popular food and wine festival will open its gates at 11am today, with about 300,000 people expected to pass through the gates in the next seven days.

Between 80,000 and 100,000 of those patrons are expected to hail from interstate and overseas.

Festival co-chairs and Hobart City Council aldermen Marti Zucco and Peter Sexton said this year's festival would have more seating, stalls and toilets and would take up more space than ever.

"People can expect a much more interesting experience this year," Ald Sexton said.

"We have expanded the festival out to 28,000 square metres across a variety of different surfaces --indoor and outdoor."

This year the festival will have 66 stallholders spread over 88 sites -- an increase of 10 stallholders on last year.

Festival organisers have negotiated their liquor licence so that fences around the site can be lowered to create a greater link between the main shed and Salamanca.

"We are trying to embrace the whole of Salamanca," Ald Zucco said.

Ald Sexton said the greatest change had been made to the area referred to as The Winery in 2011.

The area has been rebadged The Pier, floored with decking and opened up to the waterfront.

"Last year this was a relatively small area with an uneven floor -- and a dark space with a poor mix of food and beverages and unhappy stallholders and patrons," Ald Sexton said yesterday.

Ald Zucco said talk of charging an admission fee in the future was off the table.

"What we have done is incorporate a summer festival into the Taste," he said.

"You have to look at the cost versus the return."

Ald Zucco said the estimated cost of $600,000 for the Taste Festival included the New Year's Eve fireworks and the Kids in the Park program on Parliament lawns, which would go on with or without the Taste.

For details on opening hours, click here.

matthew.smith@news.com.au

• For a full list of stalls and what they have to offer, check out today's Mercury. 

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wild Oats smashes own record

IT'S six of the best for Wild Oats XI after the supermaxi took line honours in a new race record in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart this morning.

Rated one of the world's fastest supermaxis, Wild Oats crossed the finish line at 7.23am to claim its sixth line honours title and second race record since 2005.

To check out the gallery, click here

It beat its own race record by almost 17 minutes, clocking 1 day 18 hours 23 minutes 12 seconds for the 628-nautical-mile journey.

Last year's line honours champion Ragamuffin Loyal, skippered by race legend Syd Fischer, finished second, crossing the line at 12.08pm.

The next yacht is Lahana, due in at 9.30 tonight.

Wild Oats appeared to have the race record in the bag as the clock ticked past midnight yesterday -- at that time on track to beat it by hours.

But then Mother Nature had her say. As the wind died so did the 100-footer's chances of the record.

She bobbed about in the waters off Tasman Island in the early hours of the morning, going nowhere fast.

"It was very frustrating but the boys dealt with it well and we didn't stop at all, we kept the boat moving," skipper Mark Richards said.

When the breeze returned, Wild Oats took off. When it carved its way past the Iron Pot just after sunrise, Richards knew the record run was back on.

"When we got to the Iron Pot we thought: 'The record's on here'. So we've got to really work," he said.

With the finish line in sight as Wild Oats slipped by the Garrow Light off Sandy Bay, the water became glassy and again Oats slowed to a crawl -- the record again in doubt.

"You do start thinking about the clock ticking away, but we did the right thing, got our heads out of the boat and started looking for the breeze," Richards said.

"We had the right sail up and that got us home."

Wild Oats' run was almost flawless, with the exception of a slightly damaged centreboard after hitting a submerged log on the first night and blowing out its big spinnaker yesterday.

"It was a great ride," Richards said.

"It was a shame we blew out a our big spinnaker because we were absolutely smoking and putting a lot of miles onto Ragamuffin Loyal.

"The weather has changed in our favour now and there's a pretty good chance we could win the race on handicap, so it's pretty exciting."

As it stands, Wild Oats tops the handicap leader board. Jazz, Calm, Quest, Loki and Shogun are also in the hunt.

The first Tasmanian yacht due home is Cougar II, expected late tomorrow.

Of the starting fleet of 76, three yachts have retired.

The last boat in the fleet, Maluka of Kermandie, has a scheduled time of arrival of 10.30pm on New Year's Eve.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bird strikes early on debut

JACKSON Bird has made an instant impression in his Australia Test debut at the MCG, grabbing two impressive top-order scalps against Sri Lanka.

The 26-year-old struck in the fourth over of the Boxing Day Test when Dimuth Karunaratne lunged forward and was caught behind for five.

He took his second wicket just after lunch when Thilan Samaraweera played a dreadful shot and spooned a catch to David Warner at mid wicket.

Former Australian swing bowler Damien Fleming likened the impressive Bird to Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath.

With a habit of uprooting top-order batsmen and a wicket-taking stock delivery, Fleming said Bird showed more than enough today to prove he will be a long-term Test bowler.

Fleming coached Bird in his time at the Australian Cricket Academy and said the subsequent improvements to his technique were the building blocks of a promising international career.

Bird, 26, showed few nerves in picking up 2-32 in 13 overs, maintaining his outstanding first-class strike rate at the MCG.

More importantly though, five maidens highlighted control that not only claimed two key early breakthroughs, but that Fleming says will be critical in English conditions in next year's Ashes series.

"I think it's important for all bowlers to know that your best ball can get out the best batsman," Fleming said.

"And from what we've seen, he already knows that if he bowls enough of his good balls, he'll get enough wickets at Test level.

"He doesn't look like one of these guys who goes on an emotional rollercoaster, he's pretty laid back.

"It's very early days for him, but he's not unlike (Glenn) McGrath and Stuart Clark in that they've got a nice, bouncy, accurate stock ball.

"And it's shown over the history of Test cricket that those types of bowlers get wickets ... and he's probably got a more natural outswinger than those two."

Bird hit the spot early, beating opener Dimuth Karunaratne with the first ball of his second over and having a big LBW shout turned down the next ball.

Again using his stock delivery that swings into the left-hander, Bird almost forged a path between bat and pad with the third ball of the over, then showed nous beyond his experience to slant one across with his fourth ball to find the edge and shove Sri Lanka on the path to its meek demise.

The lithe Tasmanian then rushed on to the dangerous Thilan Samaraweera with a shorter ball that he could only spoon to David Warner at mid-wicket.

"What we're seeing here from Birdy is that there are now enough attributes to be a good international bowler," Fleming said.

"Back (at the Academy) he was very inconsistent with his wrist releases, so I reckon a majority of times he pushed the ball in.

"He was working on trying to get that outswinger and that's what you've seen from him not only today, but for the last two years -- consistent outswing.

"What we like is that he's got a nice run-up that goes towards off stump, his action is aligned and he has a high release.

"I don't think any action is bulletproof, but it doesn't look like it puts any strain through him.

"And talking to domestic players, they reckon his big strength is he hits high on the bat and that he makes you play.

"They're qualities you love in an into-the-wind bowler, you can take that anywhere in the world -- particularly England -- and you should have a good success rate."

Fleming said the only knock on Bird in English conditions was that he bowled marginally short during the mid-year Australia A tour.

"You should be about a metre fuller in England anyway, but with his fundamentals, you'll hope he's able to adjust his length just a little bit.

"If your line is good and the action of your run-up is good, you should be able to adjust your length, whether you're looking at the pitch, the stumps, or the keeper's feet, there's got to be something there to focus on and he's been impressive enough that he should be able to do that without a problem."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blaze threatens Dolphin Sands

A SCRUB fire is burning out of control at Dolphin Sands, north of Swansea, on Tasmania's East Coast.

Residents of Dolphin Sands Rd have been urged to activate their bushfire plans, with the Tasmania Fire Service sending 10 units to tackle the blaze.

The TFS has enacted a "watch and act status" for the fire, which means conditions are changing and residents need to start taking action to protect themselves and their families.

Anyone wishing to leave the area has been advised to do so now but only if the path is clear.

The football club at Swansea will be the evacuation point if required.

A Tasmania Police spokesman said officers had been sent from Swansea and Bicheno to help the TFS.

The blaze was reported about 3.30pm today.

Non-residents are advised to stay away from the affected areas.

There may be embers, smoke and ash falling on Dolphin Sands Rd and Cambria Rd is closed.

For up-to-date information, listen to ABC Local Radio and visit the TFS website.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wild Thing out of Syd-Hobart

FURIOUS Wild Thing skipper Grant Wharington was left to rue what might have been after controversially being banned from this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

The flamboyant and highly-experienced yachtsman was booted out of the famous bluewater classic this morning -- just three hours before the start -- after failing to file a cache of important documents relating to recent alterations to the boat.

Bookies had Wharington's super-maxi as third favourite for this year's line honours and her skipper was clearly angry and emotional after a last-minute appeal against the decision was dismissed.

"We are absolutely devastated to be told at the 11th hour that we are unable to race to Hobart," he said.

"Would you believe we have been offered to sail down the course and we can go on into the radio skeds and leave the tracker on (and not compete for line honours), which is an insult."

Wharington later accused race organisers of conspiring against larger yachts -- comments which could land him in further hot water.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's race committee made the decision to pull the 2003 line honours winner at 10am (AEDT), citing the failure of the boat's owners to produce sufficient documentation regarding its design and recent hull modifications.

CYCA commodore Howard Piggott delivered the news while Wharington had his phone switched off as the skipper was giving his crew a pre-race briefing at the time.

Piggott said the race committee's decision was final.

"We made every effort, I assure you. We want to see boats racing," he said.

"However, it's out of our hands. We must comply with the notice of race and ensure that our safety standards are maintained."

After failing to overturn the ban, Wharington and his crew were forced to watch the race from the yacht club bar and said they would down several crates of beer.

That meant a reduced fleet of 76 boats took to the water and race favourite Wild Oats XI looked unbeatable after flying off the start line at 1pm (AEDT) and rounding the South Head of Sydney Harbour first.

The 100ft super-maxi has also had a series of modifications in the lead-up to the Sydney-Hobart race and it showed as she opened up a sizeable lead over fierce rival Ragamuffin Loyal before even leaving the harbour.

Wild Oats XI is attempting to beat her race record time of just over one day and 18 hours, set during her 2005 race victory.

But she'll need favourable conditions all the way to Hobart to do so.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yachties go the extra miles

INTERSTATE yachties on their way to the Launceston-to-Hobart race will spend much of Boxing Day on a bus after their morning flight into Launceston was cancelled.

About 200 passengers were affected when the morning Jetstar flight from Melbourne, due into Launceston at 10.50am, was cancelled.

Many of the passengers were transferred to a Qantas flight due to arrive in Hobart at 4.10pm.

They will then board a bus to Launceston.

The yachties have to go the extra miles to get to the Beauty Point start.

The tough West Coast yacht race begins tomorrow morning.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bruny delays likely

Long queues for the Bruny Island ferry at Easter.

COMMUTERS bound for Bruny Island are advised to expect delays during the busy festive period.

Shane Gregory, from the Department of Infrastructure, said motorists traditionally had a longer wait in Kettering from Boxing Day through to December 28 and again on New Year's Eve.

He said a contingency plan had been developed to manage the possibility of queuing on the Channel Highway.

"We're encouraging motorists to consider travelling during non-peak times, for example catching one of the first two sailings of the day, at 6.35am or 7.45am," the general manager of traffic infrastructure services said in a statement.

"If you do decide to travel during peak times, try to allow enough time for your journey and remember there could be delays of at least two hours.

"Make sure you carry enough water, especially if you are travelling with pets or children, and try to be patient and respectful of others.

"Motorists should only stop in Ferry Rd where it's possible for local traffic to pass."

To check out the ferry timetable, click here.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Santa visits tree sitter

Santa helps environmental activist Miranda Gibson celebrate her second Christmas in a tree in southern Tasmania.

WHILE most Tasmanians will gather around a Christmas tree today, conservationist Miranda Gibson will still be up one – a 400-year-old eucalypt to be precise.

The 31-year-old began her tree sit in the state's Styx Valley on December 14, 2011, as part of a protest against logging in Tasmania's high conservation value forests.

Perched on a platform 60m above the ground, the former school teacher is now spending her second Christmas in the Observer Tree.

"This time last year I had hoped that I would not have to spend another Christmas here, and that this forest would be securely protected by now," Ms Gibson said in a statement yesterday.

"Sadly, after a year, I still need to be here watching over this forest that remains under threat.

"I hope that I will not be here for a third Christmas."

She said the Federal Government would have an opportunity in 2013 to nominate the surrounding forests for World Heritage protection.

"What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be for all of Australians … to have these forests protected for future generations," Ms Gibson said.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

The inside running on Tassie

Alice Hansen enjoying cheese and wine at Villa Howden. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

HOBART author and travel journalist Alice Hansen is eating, sailing and even abseiling her way around Tasmania in an effort to provide visitors to the state with the best experience possible.

Ms Hansen's new website, Tailored Tasmania, is effectively an online travel guide to the state, featuring advice on where to eat, shop, play and sleep, along with a stack of insider knowledge and tips.

"I began thinking about the website idea travelling around Europe, when you can't find a cafe and you settle for some awful little sandwich when a beautiful cafe could have been around the corner," Ms Hansen said.

"I want to be sure visitors, and even locals, know where our top spots are."

A growing number of businesses, including cafes, pubs, shops and even the Brookfield Polo Club at Margate have jumped on board, offering deals for those who mention the website.

Although she is yet to "monetise" the website, Ms Hansen hopes it will one day pay its own way, as she loves test-driving Tasmanian experiences.

To check it out, click here.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rink on ice after one day

Mawson's Skate, on Hobart's waterfront, was shut after operator Richard Crawford deemed the temporary skates for the rink were unacceptable.

HOBART'S newest tourist attraction had to shut up shop yesterday, just one day after opening.

Mawson's Skate, on Hobart's waterfront, was shut after operator Richard Crawford deemed the temporary skates for the rink were unacceptable.

The skate rink, which opened next to the Mawson Pavilion on Saturday, could be closed for a week while the company waits on new skates to arrive from Italy.

Mr Crawford said the company had purchased temporary skates to ensure the rink could open for a trial run on Saturday.

"We got some temporary skates to allow us to open," Mr Crawford said.

But after operating on Saturday, he decided the equipment was not up to standard.

Mr Crawford said the temporary skates were not cutting into the rink's synthetic surface as they should.

"The figure skaters that brought their own skates were carving it up on Saturday," he said.

"It really did show the difference.

"So I have decided to maximise the visitor experience by waiting for the new skates to arrive."

Mr Crawford said about 200 people had used the rink on Saturday.

But despite a popular opening day, he said not too many people had to be turned away yesterday.

The new 450sq m synthetic ice rink had been on the drawing board for two years.

Mr Crawford said a number of gift vouchers had already been purchased for Christmas.

The rink is expected to be used by 40,000 people each year, acting as a much-needed winter attraction for the Hobart waterfront.

matthew.smith@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Action plea on light rail

SUPPORTERS of Hobart's proposed light-rail system have renewed calls for action following the release of the business case review yesterday.

Aecom's review of ACIL Tasman's 2011 business case found it was an essentially fair and sound appraisal of the project but likely optimistic in terms of capital and operating costs.

The review also forecast low commuter numbers.

Describing the review as "disappointing", Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston said action, including genuine community consultation, was needed.

"We really haven't progressed over the past two and half years," he said. "There needs to be more stakeholder engagement and genuine community consultation to build an effective business case.

"We're keen on action beyond words and flawed reports."

Mr Johnston also raised some concerns about the independence of the review.

"As the major community stakeholder, we are concerned that the mainland-based consultants were selected without going through an open tender process," he said.

Former Greens leader Bob Brown said he would convene a meeting of people and organisations who had shown an interest in the project on February 15 next year at MONA to help push it forward.

"I think the light rail is a fabulous opportunity but it needs co-ordination from the wider community," Mr Brown said.

"The Hobart light rail is a sign of whether our city is going to zing into the future or languish."

And Tasmanian Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim said he remained firmly committed to the light-rail project.

"I do think it's in the best interests of public transport in Hobart and, in fact, in the best interests of Hobart and Tasmania," he said.

"We will now conduct a separate business case on Stage One from Hobart to Glenorchy on the basis we believe we can get a significantly improved outcome that will allow me to make application to the Commonwealth Government for funding next year."

Opposition spokesman on sustainable transport Matthew Groom said the public was tired of reviews.

"Nick McKim releasing yet another review is a bit like Groundhog Day," he said. "What we need is a clear strategy and plan of action rather than these endless reviews."

He said the Liberal Party was not prepared to give up on the prospect of a light-rail system.

"We support additional public transport options in the northern suburbs and the light rail needs to be assessed in that context," he said.

To access the full report, go to www.dier.tas.gov.au

elizabeth.lord@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Festive real estate boom

WITH fewer open homes and active agents, Christmas and New Year can be a tricky time to buy or sell a home.

But with a slight market improvement across the state over the past three months, Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Adrian Kelly says the current climate could translate to a spike in sales.

"The interest rate reductions have put more confidence into the market so I do think it is a good time to be selling," he said.

"Personally, I think we'll have a pretty good run of sales right through to Easter. And then we may see the usual winter slowdown that we've experienced over the last few years."

With Hobart the country's most affordable capital city with a median dwelling price of $305,875, there are many bargains to be had for serious local buyers or those coming from interstate or overseas for a summer holiday.

"It tends to hot up [the market], particularly in Hobart because you've got the Sydney to Hobart, the Wooden Boat Festival and the Taste Festival," Mr Kelly said.

"The agents that do actually work over Christmas and New Year's tend to do OK while we've got lots of mainlanders here.

"It might be a little bit different this year with the market being the way it is. Nevertheless they'll be here and many will look for properties."

Last summer there were 1712 sales across the state and with more than 9000 houses and units for sale, real estate agents and industry professionals are hopeful for even higher sales figures this summer.

Of the properties on the market, around 130 come with a price tag of more than $1 million but Mr Kelly believes prospective visiting buyers may target the cheaper end.

"A lot of them are looking for a little investment property," he said.

jessica.howard@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flowing with festive cheer

Revellers packed Salamanca Place last night.

THOUSANDS of Hobart revellers started putting the "merry" into this year's Christmas holiday period last night.

There was a bumper and boisterous crowd at Salamanca for the traditional Christmas break-up drinks.

Police estimated about 10,000 people took advantage of the mild weather and clear skies to converge on the Hobart waterfront.

Check out the gallery

The Salamanca lawns were transformed into a street party, with live music, barbecues and vans serving alcohol.

Police Inspector Glen Woolley, officer in charge of Hobart, said it was a lively but orderly crowd.

"Overall the crowd is well behaved, considering the large number of people," he said.

"So far it's a jovial crowd and we just hope it stays that way," he said.

Insp Woolley said the good behaviour was partly because of the strong police presence, with 22 police patrolling the waterfront last night.

Police had made four arrests for disorderly conduct up until 9.30pm.

Insp Woolley said it was the largest gathering he had seen in the three years he had been patrolling Salamanca pre-Christmas Friday nights.

The holiday drinks have been a tradition in Salamanca for nearly 30 years, with thousands gathering on the lawns across from Knopwoods Retreat.

While the outside drinking area was still enclosed by a 1.2m barrier fence last night, the area was less fortress-like than the past seven years when a 1.8m "cage" had been erected.

Knoppies licensee Kate Cawthorn praised the lower barriers.

"It has more of a festival feel, we're really happy with it," she said.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snapshot shows healthy state

THE latest snapshot of Tasmania is in, and the news is mostly good.

We are richer and smarter than two years ago. We call ourselves optimists, but we can be a little tight with the purse strings. We don't trust governments, but we reckon we lead full and busy lives.

Every year leading advertising company Clemenger puts together a comprehensive snapshot of the habits and mood of the nation.

Based on quarterly Roy Morgan surveys of more than 50,000 people, it identifies the traits we share and the things that set us apart from each other.

Clemenger's report, The State of Tasmania, reveals locals are generally upbeat about their lives, particularly in Hobart, where the proportion of people counting their glass as half-full approaches 80 per cent. But drill down deeper and the picture becomes more nuanced.

While Tasmanians are more likely than other Australians to feel financially stable and are less likely to have cut down on their spending, a strong and growing majority believe the gap between rich and poor is growing.

And despite the global financial crisis receding in the rear view mirror, the number of people believing the economy is in freefall is growing.

Far more than Australians elsewhere, Tasmanians don't trust governments. Only a small minority in each region report that they trust the current Federal Government and distrust is significantly higher in the state's North-West, something that may spell trouble in the key marginal seat of Bass.

And we are more likely to believe corruption is a major problem, with up to 60 per cent agreeing.

The Clemenger report revealed distinct differences between the state's three regional centres of Hobart, Launceston and Burnie/Devonport.

"The Hobart region showed optimism in terms of the economy and the future of Tasmania, despite a feeling of financial instability. The Hobart demographic is characterised by older households of white-collar workers, managers and professionals who value social interaction, new opportunities and knowledge," the report concluded.

Interestingly, Launceston emerged as a more liberal, health-conscious, environmental hub.

"The Launceston region showed an increase in income and a shift towards a more health-conscious consumer," the report said.

"This involves the consumption of organic and additive-free foods, as well as increasing concern for the environment.

"The Launceston demographic is characterised by the mid-life households of skilled workers who value security, reliability and family.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the state's North-West emerged with its own distinct identity too.

"The Burnie/Devonport region showed increasing disregard for their health, as well as a large degree of distrust and dissatisfaction with the Government," the report said. "[The] demographic is characterised by young-parent households of skilled workers who value security, reliability and family."

READ THE FULL COVERAGE IN TODAY'S SATURDAY MERCURY ...

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Driving passion for justice

LEADER: Gavin Mooney was passionate about social justice. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

GAVIN Mooney moved to Tasmania from Western Australia looking for the good life, and was in no doubt that he had found it.

The nation's leading health economist and his partner, academic Dr Del Weston, were captivated by the beauty and tranquillity of the expansive home they bought in the hamlet of Mountain River, about 30 minutes' drive south of Hobart.

The broad deck looks out on the rugged peaks across the scattered homes and the steep, timbered ridges rising up to Collins Bonnet.

The couple had big plans. Both wanted to be involved in social justice as they had in Western Australia, where Prof Mooney had helped found the WA Social Justice Network.

They wanted to expand their vegetable garden and their small flock of chickens and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

Prof Mooney, a passionate and energetic advocate for those less well-off, regularly contributed the benefit of his experience in health economics to the Mercury's coverage of health issues.

In August he launched the Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network and was involved in facilitating "citizens' juries" as a more democratic way for people to participate in setting priorities for the heath systems.

Dr Weston did her PhD at Curtin University in WA.

She had been a visiting scholar at the University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban, South Africa, and an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Tasmania in the School of Geography and Environmental Science.

Tony Reidy from TasCOSS said Prof Mooney had been a driving force behind the organisation's submission to the State Government this year.

"We're really quite devastated. Gavin Mooney was making an enormous contribution to social justice in Tasmania," he said after hearing of the couple's brutal murder yesterday.

"He was a real leader in his field. His death is an enormous tragedy for the state."

Miriam Herzfeld set up the Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network with Prof Mooney this year.

She said he and Dr Weston were passionate, caring and had worked to make a contribution from the moment they arrived in their new home.

"He was passionate about creating a more equal society and giving everybody the opportunity to lead a healthy and good-quality life," she said.

"Gavin and Del had been in Tasmania for a short period of time but they'd made an enormous impact."

UTAS Provost David Rich said the news had shocked and saddened the staff of the Menzies Research Institute, where Prof Mooney held a voluntary position.

"The academic community is deeply saddened by this news," Prof Rich said.

Before moving to Tasmania Prof Mooney had been Director of the Social and Public Health Economics Research Group and Professor of Health Economics at Curtin University in Perth.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Couple murdered in paradise

Dr Del Weston was found dead. Inset: Officers at the scene of the alleged double murder in Bennetts Rd, Mountain River, this morning.

THE nation's leading health economist and his academic partner are dead after being murdered at their idyllic Mountain River property, south-west of Hobart.

Professor Gavin Mooney, 69, and Dr Del Weston, 62, were found dead in their Bennetts Rd home early today after their alleged killer rang 000. They had severe blunt force injuries to their heads.

The 27-year-old man charged with the murders is Dr Weston's son by a previous relationship, Nicolau Francisco Soares. He did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court today and has been remanded in custody.

Prof Mooney and Dr Weston moved to Tasmania from WA last year to enjoy semi-retirement and were enthralled by the beauty of their new surroundings.

Their alleged killer arrived in the state three weeks ago, sources say, and had been staying at their home.

It is the second double murder in the state's South in four days and the third this year. A Hamilton couple was shot dead on Sunday and a man and a woman were stabbed to death in Launceston in August.

Police say the latest horror was a particularly gruesome crime. A hammer and sledgehammer used to inflict the fatal wounds was found next to the bodies. The alleged killer was waiting in another room when police arrived early this  morning.

"The only person who really knows what occurred in that house now is the man we have in custody," Detective Inspector Peter Powell alleged.

"There was some sign in the room of a disturbance, some furniture overturned.

"But as to who was attacked first or how the altercation commenced, we don't know."

He said there was no obvious motive at this stage.

"We hope to discover it as we go through the investigation," he said.

 "Certainly, we would like to know more about his movements.

"The area where they lived is a remote area and there are no houses close to the location but obviously we're making inquiries in the area to see what people know of this couple and this young man.

"We've been doorknocking down there this morning and making inquiries in the Kingston area too."

Although police asked neighbours not to comment publicly yesterday, it was apparent those living close by were deeply shocked.

Det Insp Powell said it was a terrible thing to have two double murders within days of each other  and both allegedly committed by people known to the victims.

The man believed to be responsible for the Hamilton shootings remains in a medically induced coma in hospital after shooting himself in the head on Sunday.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Trial over teen's road death

A NEW Norfolk man will face trial next year over the road death of a schoolgirl in the Derwent Valley last February.

Bradley John Chaplin, 27, has pleaded not guilty to negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, speeding, and driving with an illegal drug in his system.

The charges were laid after the death of Glenora High School student Ashley Edmonds on February 29.

The 13-year-old was killed when she was hit by a utility after getting off a school bus on Gordon River Rd at Karanja.

The Hobart Magistrates Court today heard the case would take up to five days and involve a number of young witnesses.

Defence lawyer Chris Gunson said he was discussing with the prosecution ways to take evidence from those witnesses without causing additional trauma.

He said he had also sought a reconstruction of the crash from an accident expert and would be calling into question evidence of his client's reading for tetrahydrocannabinol -- the active ingredient in cannabis.

Magistrate Olivia McTaggart said she would conduct a visit to the scene of the crash as requested by the defence before a further mention of the case on February 26.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Smoking bans extended

TASMANIAN smokers will be further stigmatised with the State Government banning smoking at a raft of festivals and events next year.

Government banning smoking at a raft of festivals and events next year.

The Government is making no apologies for the move, saying it is time Tasmanian children grew up thinking of smoking as abnormal behaviour.

From January 2, an additional 30 public events will be smoke free, including Australia Day celebrations, Launceston's Festivale, North Hobart's Estia Greek Festival, New Norfolk's Autumn Festival, the Wooden Boat Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and music events such as Falls Festival, Breath of Life, Day on the Green and Symphony Under the Stars.

Lighting-up will also be banned at regular markets such as Salamanca, Evandale, Glenorchy and Sorell.

Organisers of the events will have the option of setting up a maximum of two outdoor smoking areas, which will need to be well clear of food stalls and children's activities.

The Health Department's Environmental Health manager, Stuart Heggie, said tobacco control officers would conduct random checks to ensure patrons complied with the new rules.

"These smoke-free [events] are in addition to the completely smoke-free Carols by Candlelight services held in the state this Christmas, as well as the bans that already exist in a range of locations where children play and families gather, and the recently added patrolled areas of Tasmania's beaches," Mr Heggie said.

Cygnet Folk Festival artistic director Erin Collins said the change was a "logistical challenge" but would most likely be welcomed by the audiences.

Mr Heggie said penalties would be a "last resort" but anyone who persisted in smoking after being asked to stop would be fined.

TASMANIA'S smoke-free areas:

• Public events (from January 2).

• Workplaces including offices, gaming venues, nightclubs and shopping centres.

• Public buildings (smoking is banned within three metres of the buildings' entrances).

• In cars with children and inside work vehicles.

• Outdoor dining areas during food service times (in addition to state laws, the Hobart City Council has banned smoking at all times in outdoor dining areas within the city).

• Pedestrian malls.

• Bus malls and shelters (smoking is banned within three metres of a bus shelter).

• Within 10 metres of playgrounds.

• Patrolled beaches and public swimming pools.

• Outdoor sports grounds.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Worker hurt in Bicheno blast

A MAN in his 60s has been badly injured in an industrial accident near Bicheno, Tasmania Police say.

Officers were sent to the scene on the state's East Coast this afternoon after reports of an explosion.

The incident occurred about 2pm in a quarry on a farming property about 5km south of Bicheno, police said in a statement.

The injured worker, who is in a critical condition, has been flown to the Launceston General Hospital by the Westpac Police Rescue helicopter.

No one else was injured in the incident, with police forensics officers and a mines inspector set to examine the scene this afternoon.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

My sister didn't have to die

A COUPLE might still be alive today if police had acted to impose a family violence order against their alleged killer, says Melissa Wilton, right, the sister of the dead woman.

The family of the woman slain in a double killing and attempted suicide at Hamilton on Sunday, demanded answers yesterday after they said the dead woman reached out to Tasmania Police months ago.

Meagan Wilton, 31, and popular Ouse cricketer Ben Eyles, 34, were yesterday named as the couple killed early on Sunday morning.

Meagan's sister Melissa, 30, of Claremont, says her much-loved sister, a mother-of-three, went to police late last year after her then-de facto partner, 59, assaulted her, leaving her with black eyes and bruising to her body. Ms Wilton has photographs of her sister's injured face saved to her phone.

"I am very angry," she said. "[Tasmania Police] never put the family violence order that should have been in place through -- and if they had done [the alleged shooter's] guns would've been taken off him and my sister would still be alive. I want something done about this. I demand an investigation."

Detective Inspector Colin Riley said there was no record of any such violence being reported.

"If the sister has any evidence to suggest there was family violence it is recommended she bring that information to police to investigate rather than providing it to the media, and once we have that information we will obviously include it as part of the investigation," he said.

"[Ms Melissa Wilton] was in the presence of investigators yesterday and none of that information was provided to those investigators."

He said this was "clearly a traumatic set of events for the family and extended family" and said if there was any further information that could assist police in "clarifying what has occurred" then "we would appreciate it if they came to police with any such information".

Ms Wilton said her sister Meagan left the older man, the father of her 19-month-old son, in April this year.

"That's why she got out. She didn't want the kids to grow up and see violence," Ms Wilton said.

"She lived for her kids. She was struggling but she lived for them and she was a lovely girl."

Meagan Wilton formed a relationship with Mr Eyles a few months ago and the couple moved into a rented home at Hamilton.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police suspect parental dispute

Police officers are continuing to search a home at Hamilton after a double murder yesterday. Picture: KIM EISZELE

POLICE believe a 59-year-old man suspected of a double murder at Hamilton was motivated by a dispute over his one-year-old child.

The only suspect in the killing remains in a critical condition in a medically-induced coma after undergoing surgery this morning at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The two victims -- the 31-year-old mother of his child and her 34-year-old de facto partner -- were allegedly shot dead as they tried to flee when the alleged shooter entered the woman's Hamilton home about 5am yesterday.

The woman's nine-year-old daughter is understood to have witnessed the incident and called police on a mobile phone.

The suspected gunman was found next to his ute at Lachlan, about 40km from the murder scene.

The one-year-old infant was inside the vehicle.

Police today revealed officers had phoned the man, identified as the suspect by the nine-year-old, and were talking to him on his mobile phone moments before he shot himself in the head an hour after the double murder.

The New Norfolk, Ouse, and Hamilton communities were still in shock, locals said today, after learning of the couple's death yesterday via social and mainstream media.

The dead man's family lives in Ouse, while the woman is believed to be from the New Norfolk area.

Police officers remained at the Hamilton house today, searching the property and vehicles parked in the driveway for clues.

They are also trying to piece together the timeline leading up to the suspected shooter's arrival at the isolated homestead.

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators on 1800 333 000.

zara.dawtrey@news.com.au

Read the full story in tomorrow's Mercury.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body found in Howrah dunes

SES volunteers comb the Howrah site where the body of a man was found by a member of the public earlier today. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE body of a man believed to be in his 60s has been found in sand dunes at Howrah, on Hobart's Eastern Shore.

Police said the body was found about 10am today in dunes adjacent to Wentworth Park at Salacia Ave.

The man's death is not believed to be suspicious and his identity has not yet been established.

"At this point there is no evidence to lead us to believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death," Detective Senior Sergeant Cameron Bessell said in a statement.

"Police are inquiring into the circumstances. A thorough examination of the scene, including a line search, is being undertaken.

"Until we can determine the cause of death … we will continue to examine how the body came to be in the location and attempt to establish how the man died."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Disability aid push

WITH just six months until the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Tasmania, pressure is mounting on the State Government to sign a deal for a fully implemented scheme.

In Tasmania the NDIS will provide funding to 15 to 24-year-olds with a disability during the launch phase from July next year. By 2016 it is due to be rolled out to all eligible people aged up to 65.

Premier Lara Giddings signed a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth confirming the operational and funding details for the roll out of the NDIS launch at last Friday's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Canberra.

"The NDIS will be a real game-changer for people living with a disability, " Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor said.

She said the 15 to 24 age cohort was chosen for the trial as that group was vulnerable during the transition from school to the adult world.

"We're convinced that picking the 15 to 24-year-olds to test the system is a good way to do it," Ms O'Connor said.

NDIS funding packages will be individualised and the amount given will depend on the needs of the recipient - whether it be equipment, respite, recreation activities or personal care.

While the launch is set to provide funding for about 1000 people the estimated size of the age cohort Ms O'Connor said the number of funding packages available certainly was not capped.

"If there is 1050 or 1200 people who come forward to be part of the launch they will be included, and the Commonwealth will meet any extra costs as a result of that," she said.

"These young people deserve to be given every chance to live [happy] and successful lives feeling valued and connected in their communities.

"If we don't enable that and we don't harness the capacity of these young people, they miss out, their families miss out."

Ms O'Connor said while full implementation of the NDIS in Tasmania was necessary, it would also need a "very significant" allocation of funding from the state. "We can't go through this process of raising expectations to say after three years 'actually we don't have the money'," Ms O'Connor said.

Catherine Viney, chief executive of Cosmos, which offers learning and leisure opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, said she had faith the NDIS would work, but it meant turning the current disability service model completely on its head.

Now the State Government funds organisations to provide services to people with disabilities. Under the NDIS, people with disabilities will receive funding that they can then spend how they choose.

"We're completely reforming the sector, we're [changing] from someone with a disability having to suck it up and take what they can get ... people will be able to say what's important to them," Ms Viney.

Tasmania Disability Lobby convenor Jane Wardlaw said while the launch for people aged 15 to 24 was welcome, older people already on waiting lists for services would now have to wait until at least 2016 until a full NDIS was put in place to benefit them.

Ms Wardlaw said the State Government should now take separate action to address the other urgent shortfalls in disability support.

"We need to have a strategy for those people that fall outside the cohort," she said.

While she commended the Government for signing up, she said New South Wales was the only state so far to sign an agreement for full implementation of an NDIS by 2018.

"Last week when New South Wales came out and signed their deal with the Federal Government to fully implement the NDIS, I could have kissed [NSW Premier] Barry O'Farrell," she said.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man, woman feared murdered

A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl called police after the apparent shooting murders of her mother and her mother's partner northwest of Hobart this morning.

Police said the bodies of  the woman, 31, and the man, 34, were found at a property on Hamilton Plains Rd, Hamilton -- about 30km northwest of New Norfolk -- about 5am.

Police said the alleged offender, a 59-year-old man, was later found at Lachlan, just south of New Norfolk, with a gunshot wound to the head.

He is in the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.

Police said the nine-year-old girl told them her mother and her mother's partner had been shot and a one-year-old boy had been taken from the property, ABC reports.

The boy was found in a car unharmed.

Police have set up a command post at the scene.

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Adoption hits low

ADOPTION is fast becoming a thing of the past, with just six Tasmanian families successfully adopting a child in the past year.

National adoption rates are at the lowest level in 25 years, with 333 adoptions Australia-wide in 2011-12, the latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show.

It's a drop of almost 80 per cent from the 1500 adoptions that took place in 1987-88.

The head of the AIHW child welfare unit, Tim Beard, said foster-care alternatives, contraception, changing social attitudes and welfare support for single parents had contributed to the drop in adoptions.

The six Tasmanian adoptions contrast with the 1000 Tasmanian children in foster care last year.

They were removed from their families because of neglect or abuse.

State Government figures showed the number of children in foster care doubled in the past eight years.

Two of the children adopted in Tasmania last year were from Australia, while four were from overseas countries, including the Philippines, Ethiopia and South Korea.

Nationwide, 184 of the 333 children adopted were Australian, marking the first time in 12 years that Australian adoptions outnumbered adoptions from other countries.

Mr Beard said this reflected changing international attitudes towards adoption, with many countries now seeking to have children adopted within their own country.

Despite this, eight Tasmanian families were among the 203 applicants to register their interest in inter-country adoptions last year.

"Despite social changes and medical advancements, we're still seeing the number of people looking to adopt go up every year," Mr Beard said.

"However, the numbers would probably be even bigger if we didn't have people looking at options like IVF or surrogacy."

The AIHW report showed most Australian birth mothers were unmarried and their median age was 22 nine years younger than the median age of all mothers who gave birth in 2010.

The age range for birth mothers was 15 to 43.

Relationships Australia Tasmania chief executive Mat Rowell said forced adoptions in the 1950s to 1980s had contributed to a shift in government policy about adoption.

He said there was now a stronger focus on keeping children in their family unit or supporting extended family members to care for them.

"We've seen the Government apologise for past policies and now we've seen the Tasmanian Government apologise to parents affected by [forced] adoptions," Mr Rowell said.

"This has changed the way society thinks about adoption, [and] now of course there is a whole stack of government support and practical support for people when they have children unexpectedly.

"Socially it's much more acceptable for people to raise children in a range of different circumstance we see single parents and gay couples raising children, and blended families."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Disability aid push

WITH just six months until the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Tasmania, pressure is mounting on the State Government to sign a deal for a fully implemented scheme.

In Tasmania the NDIS will provide funding to 15 to 24-year-olds with a disability during the launch phase from July next year. By 2016 it is due to be rolled out to all eligible people aged up to 65.

Premier Lara Giddings signed a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth confirming the operational and funding details for the roll out of the NDIS launch at last Friday's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Canberra.

"The NDIS will be a real game-changer for people living with a disability, " Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor said.

She said the 15 to 24 age cohort was chosen for the trial as that group was vulnerable during the transition from school to the adult world.

"We're convinced that picking the 15 to 24-year-olds to test the system is a good way to do it," Ms O'Connor said.

NDIS funding packages will be individualised and the amount given will depend on the needs of the recipient - whether it be equipment, respite, recreation activities or personal care.

While the launch is set to provide funding for about 1000 people the estimated size of the age cohort Ms O'Connor said the number of funding packages available certainly was not capped.

"If there is 1050 or 1200 people who come forward to be part of the launch they will be included, and the Commonwealth will meet any extra costs as a result of that," she said.

"These young people deserve to be given every chance to live [happy] and successful lives feeling valued and connected in their communities.

"If we don't enable that and we don't harness the capacity of these young people, they miss out, their families miss out."

Ms O'Connor said while full implementation of the NDIS in Tasmania was necessary, it would also need a "very significant" allocation of funding from the state. "We can't go through this process of raising expectations to say after three years 'actually we don't have the money'," Ms O'Connor said.

Catherine Viney, chief executive of Cosmos, which offers learning and leisure opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, said she had faith the NDIS would work, but it meant turning the current disability service model completely on its head.

Now the State Government funds organisations to provide services to people with disabilities. Under the NDIS, people with disabilities will receive funding that they can then spend how they choose.

"We're completely reforming the sector, we're [changing] from someone with a disability having to suck it up and take what they can get ... people will be able to say what's important to them," Ms Viney.

Tasmania Disability Lobby convenor Jane Wardlaw said while the launch for people aged 15 to 24 was welcome, older people already on waiting lists for services would now have to wait until at least 2016 until a full NDIS was put in place to benefit them.

Ms Wardlaw said the State Government should now take separate action to address the other urgent shortfalls in disability support.

"We need to have a strategy for those people that fall outside the cohort," she said.

While she commended the Government for signing up, she said New South Wales was the only state so far to sign an agreement for full implementation of an NDIS by 2018.

"Last week when New South Wales came out and signed their deal with the Federal Government to fully implement the NDIS, I could have kissed [NSW Premier] Barry O'Farrell," she said.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Morning of the king tide

LAPPING: The water was high at the boat sheds at Cornelian Bay yesterday. Picture: KIM EISZELE

YESTERDAY'S high tide might have been a king tide but it wasn't a monster one.

The combined gravitational pull of the moon and the sun guaranteed a higher than normal tide, followed by an extra-low tide.

But for a king tide to transform into the highest possible tide, extra forces must come into play.

They include storms that can push the sea harder against a coastline, low atmospheric pressures that add extra upward pull and large waves.

Oceanographer John Hunter said yesterday's king tide stopped about a metre below Sandy Bay's Long Beach sea wall and a one in 100 year monster tide could reach 70cm higher, with waves splashing easily over the wall.

Cars parked near the regatta grounds would have got an expensive wash and areas of Sandy Bay and Battery Point might have resembled Venice.

Dr Hunter was an author of a report, used by the State Govern- ment for its sea level rise planning response, that found as many as 620 homes could be affected by the next monster tide, and as many as 980 houses could be permanently inundated by 2100.

Sea levels had risen by 17cm in the past 100 years and were fore- cast to rise as much as 50cm by the end of the century.

bruce.mounster@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clean, green the way to Asia

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has urged Tasmania to use its clean, green image to take advantage of the Asian century.

Talking to the Mercury for the last time before the Prime Minister takes a break for Christmas, Ms Gillard urged Tasmania to play to its strengths.

"The things that you prize about yourself are the things that will drive you forward," Ms Gillard said.

"You live in a beautiful place with a fantastic lifestyle, with a real sense of community."

Ms Gillard said Tasmania was in a prime position to take advantage of the Asian century.

"I think Tasmania can be a region of prosperity in the years to come," she said.

"I have laid out, for the nation, our plan for this Asian century of growth and change where we have talked about what this huge middle class the biggest middle class in the world living in Asia will want.

"When you go through the list much of it is what Tasmania produces and has available for sale.

"People in Asia with middle-class income are going to want clean green food, they are going to want great quality wine, they are going to want great tourism experiences not the package holidays but the unique tourism experiences.

"Tasmania is in a position to provide all of those things."

Ms Gillard said Tasmania's island state did create challenges with issues like freight logistics and health care.

"Being an island has come with disadvantages about distances," Ms Gillard said.

"[But] those disadvantages about distances are being closed all the time by the National Broadband Network and new technology. I think Tasmania can look to the power of the National Broadband Network, which is being rolled out in Tasmania first, to connect to the world and customise products.

"Customers can deal with people in real time right around the world.

"There is no reason why people can't be running a small to medium business enterprise in Tasmania and connecting to the world and selling their products and services."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

TIS gives help to 90

A FIELD of 90 athletes including Olympians and 25 newcomers were rewarded for their talent in Hobart yesterday when they received 2013 scholarships from the Tasmanian Institute of Sport.

TIS director Paul Austen said it was an exciting time for the institute because it was the start of the four-year Olympic cycle.

A total of 14 sports are backed by the institute, and scholarships went to 57 male athletes and 33 female athletes ranging from 14 to 31 years-of-age.

The TIS continued its support of athletes who have previously represented Australia at an Olympic and Paralympic Games: Scott Brennan, Todd Hodgetts, Matt Bugg, Amy Cure, Luke Jackson, Jackson Woods, Tristan Thomas, Matthew Goss, Adam Gibson, Tim Deavin and Eddie Ockenden.

Of the newcomers, some will go on to represent Australia at world championships and also the Olympic Games.

"The ones coming in are just starting that next phase and the next 12 months determines whether they are ones we would consider having the potential to go all the way," Austen said.

"We've got a group coming in that will be focused probably not on Rio but the Olympics after that.

"But you just never know who will pop up and advance more quickly.

"It's always exciting for the institute to start another four-year process and many of this intake is at the bottom of the cycle and it's exciting to see who we are going to work with and to see how their development pans out."

The 2012 dual world junior cycling track champion, Georgia Baker will again be a member of a strong cycling program.

The TIS has associate scholarships with professional Tasmanian athletes including Richie Porte (cycling), Matthew Goss (cycling), Wes Sulzberger (cycling), Will Clarke (cycling), Cameron Wurf (cycling), Adam Gibson (basketball), Hugh Greenwood (basketball), Ryan McCarthy (golf) and Kalem Richardson (golf).

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family molester jailed

A 79-YEAR-OLD pensioner has been jailed for abusing three generations of young girls from his own family over 45 years from the 1950s.

The southern Tasmanian man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Hobart's Supreme Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault, four counts of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person, one count of attempted rape and two counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason told the court the man abused his sister, daughters, granddaughters and a niece.

At the time of his crimes they were all aged under 13.

The man abused his sister in the mid-1950s and abused his daughters on an almost weekly basis from the mid-1960s.

He had sexual intercourse with one of his daughters, aged 11 or 12, on three occasions while he pretended to be tucking her into bed.

The man abused another daughter aged between 10 and 13 in the early 1970s, a niece aged seven or eight, and four granddaughters aged about six or seven between 1986 and 1997.

Ms Mason said the man had been confronted about the abuse some years ago and had admitted touching his daughters.

After several of his victims gave statements last year, the man was interviewed by police and confessed the bulk of his offending.

The court heard the man had admitted to investigating officers that he still found young girls attractive.

His lawyer, Amber Mignot, said he accepted he was likely to spend much of the rest of his life in custody.

Justice Peter Evans jailed the man for nine years and ordered he not be eligible for parole until he had served half the sentence.

He also ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years on his release.

david.killick@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Photograph a king tide for science

WALKING ON WATER: Penguin sculptures at Macquarie Wharf during a previous high tide in Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

BEACHGOERS and photography buffs are being urged to register and capture images of tomorrow morning's king tide in the name of climate science.

A king tide affecting Tasmania's southern and eastern coastlines is due to reach its peak at 8.53am tomorrow, although the effects will still be apparent through to Sunday.

People are being urged to photograph the tide in their area as part of the national Witness King Tides photography project, jointly funded by the Tasmanian and NSW governments and run by Green Cross Australia in partnership with bodies such as the CSIRO.

King tides are not linked to climate change but the scientists running the project hope to use the events to visualise how rising sea levels may impact on beaches and coastal communities in the future.

To register to take part in the photography project, visit http://www.witnesskingtides.org/

Send us your king tide pics via email to readerspix@dbl.newsltd.com.au.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gill signs with Dees

NORTH Hobart's star recruit Nick Gill can't wait to get back on the ground where he starred for Sandringham and Port Melbourne in VFL games against the Tassie Devils in the early 2000s.

The former Melbourne, North Melbourne and Adelaide Crows utility has signed a one-year contract as playing assistant coach for the Demons next season.

The 2013 TSL roster was released yesterday, and Gill's debut for the Dees in round 1 will be against Hobart at the TCA ground on April 14.

North recruited Gill, 30, as a key forward, but the man who played 16 games and kicked 20 goals for the Crows between 2007 and 2009 says he will bring more than onfield talent.

"It's an exciting challenge at my age to pass on a bit of experience to a pretty young team," Gill said yesterday.

"That adds to the challenge for me.

"North Hobart finished sixth on the ladder this year and I feel that I can pass on a bit of experience rather than just contributing on field."

The 2013 TSL roster covers 26 weeks and boasts three Anzac Day games, seven Friday night games, two matches on Good Friday and 13 Sunday games.

Gill's first match at North Hobart will be against reigning premier Burnie on April 27.

He played in Cairns this year where he kicked a career-high 106 goals.

That caught North Hobart's attention, as well as the eye of numerous other clubs.

"It was a tough decision and it was good to speak to all the clubs," he said.

"In the end I'm happy with my decision.

"It came down to a couple of clubs but I won't say who."

Anzac Day action involves Glenorchy hosting Lauderdale at KGV at 12.30pm, and Devonport-Launceston (Devonport Oval) and North Launceston-South Launceston (Aurora Stadium) clashing in night games, both starting at 6pm, thus avoiding the AFL blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Walk Hard's star rises

GREYHOUND Walk Hard has the potential to earn star status at the Group 1 Tattsbet Hobart Thousand tomorrow night.

He'll win, but only if he can reproduce the trial time he recorded last Saturday in a heat of the series.

Walk Hard, prepared in Victoria by Nicole McRae at Clyde, ventured to Hobart for the trial with the hope of producing a competitive time but when he walked away with the unofficial record of 25.69 seconds over the 461m, McRae was thrilled.

The time eclipsed Bergermeister's record of 25.71 that he set in a race in July last year.

Walk Hard's trial time was revealed at the official Hobart Thousand launch at Tattersall's Park this week.

The dog has drawn box one in heat three (race four) and would only need to begin with them to win if he ran up to his trial time.

This year's Hobart Thousand series has again attracted a star-studded field, with 30 interstate invaders comprising some of the best greyhounds racing in Australia to line up in eight heats. But Tasmania's best will be very competitive against the visitors.

The winner of each heat will progress to the final on December 20 that carries $75,000 to the winner.

While Walk Hard (Bit Chili-Miss Bling) has impressed running solo on the U-bend circuit, there are plenty of other contenders with good enough credentials to make an impact tomorrow night.

Arguably Australia's best trainer, Graeme Bate, has won the race four times and he has entered seven of his best chasers to try to become a five-time winner of the series.

Trainers and owners across the nation have hailed the Hobart track as the best in Australia because it gives every dog a chance of winning because of his long run to the one turn.

Of the locals, last year's Hobart Thousand final runner-up Rewind looms as the state's best chance.

Rewind has been in sensational form, winning his past eight on the Hobart circuit.

Since finishing second to Dyna Tron in last year's Hobart Thousand final, the Morris Strickland-trained dog has been beaten just twice in 12 outings.

Rewind has drawn box four in the sixth heat (race seven).

Top Victorian trainer Andrea Dailey won the race last year with Dyna Tron.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Athlete of Year finalists

SPLITTING the six finalists to see who will be crowned the 2012 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year will be no mean feat when the winner is announced tonight.

The Apple Isle continues to produce world-class athletes who perform on the international stage and this year was again no exception.

Such were the achievements of the final six that last year's winner Matt Goss won't be defending his title, despite a third-place finish for the green jersey in the Tour de France.

Another Tour star, Richie Porte, will instead fly the flag for the cyclists after his gruntwork allowed Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins to snare the yellow jersey as race winner.

Boxing world champion Daniel Geale, Olympic silver medallist Kate Hornsey (rowing), hockey duo Eddie Ockenden and Tim Deavin and Paralympic gold medal star Todd Hodgetts (shot put) are the other finalists.

Tasmanian Institute of Sport director Paul Austen said yesterday it was an impressive batch of athletes.

"We have had another highly successful year," Austen said.

"Certainly I believe when you look at those performances, Tasmania has a very strong and proud sporting heritage and great capacity to produce athletes that are world class."

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cash for jobs -- at a cost

THE State Government will slide further into debt in a bid to create hundreds of jobs and leverage much needed new investment.

Premier Lara Giddings yesterday announced the Tasmanian Jobs Package she hopes will deliver 3300 jobs and create about $375 million in private investment.

The package will cost the State Government $24.5 million over the next four years and $11.7 million this year, as the state slides a further $44 million into deficit.

As revealed in the Mercury yesterday, Ms Giddings has more than doubled grants for Tasmanians building their first home topping up the existing $7000 first-home buyers' grant with a further $8000 for those who opt to build.

The money will be available for Tasmanians constructing new homes beginning on January 1 and continuing for 18 months.

Ms Giddings said the First Home Builders Boost will help to build 1100 first homes and create 1800 new jobs.

The move was supported by the building industry and the State Opposition yesterday.

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the grant, that his party has been calling for, was a step in the right direction. "We are quite happy from Opposition to lead the Government when they have run out of ideas," he said.

HIA executive director Stuart Clues said in the past year 3000 jobs and 1000 projects have been lost.

"The State Government's announcement today could be the adrenalin shot in the arm the industry needs to start rebuilding in 2013," he said.

A further 850 jobs are hoped to be created by offering payroll grants for businesses putting on new staff from today up until June 30, 2014 and maintained until June 30, 2015.

The payroll exemption for new jobs would give medium and large businesses the ability to save about $3000 a year on a new worker earning about $50,000 a year.

Acting CEO and the TCCI chief economist Phil Bayley commended the move that has been a proven winner in the past. "The TCCI has also been highlighting the impact of payroll taxes on employment for many years, so today's announcement of relief for new jobs is welcome," he said.

"This is a win for all employers, particularly those that are considering putting on new employees."

Ms Giddings said the relatively modest outlay will make a massive contribution to job creation and private investment. "The package is a key part of my agenda for 2013 which will focus on jobs, people and opportunities," Ms Giddings said yesterday.

"I look forward to seeing more Tasmanians find jobs as a result of the strong action we have taken today."

A further $2.5 million in additional funding for the Tasmanian Government Innovation and Investment Fund will be used to try to leverage $11 million in private investment and create 170 jobs.

The North will get a boost, with $2.8 million investment in projects, including the Seaport boardwalk expansion on the Tamar River in Launceston and the creation of the Hollybank Mountain Bike Park, for the combined creation of 80 new jobs.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tough times cut Federal's profit

Greg Farrell at Federal's flagship property Saffire, on Tasmania's East Coast.

A TOUGH year for domestic tourism and new regulations in gaming have hit the Federal Hotels group, the owner of Tasmania's two casinos.

Federal Hotels parent Mulawa Holdings yesterday reported a significant fall from $21.3 million in the previous year to $16.5 million after-tax profit for 2011-12.

The profit fall came despite an increase in revenue from $515 million to $520 million.

Despite a dramatic fall in employee numbers from 2016 to 1727, the company recorded an increase from $152 million to $160 million in personnel expenses. Gaming taxes and licence fees were down nearly $3 million.

In his recent Christmas address, managing director Greg Farrell blasted the Gaming Commission's mandatory code of practice, part of which was introduced on March 1.

Other measures were introduced on September 1 and have resulted in a fall in year-to-date gaming machine expenditure from $73 million to $68 million. The group expects a $20 million- a-year decline in revenue.

The code included measures such as no free alcohol, no ATMs in gambling areas other than casinos, adequate lighting and clocks in gaming areas, and no food or drinks at gaming machines after 6pm.

Mr Farrell said with the dollar at record levels, Australians had never had it so good if they wanted to travel offshore.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

First home grants to double

It is understood a key plank of the State Government's jobs plan will be the reintroduction of a first home-builders grant, doubling the $7000 already available to those entering the housing market. Image: THINKSTOCK

NEW homeowners will be the big winners when Premier Lara Giddings unveils her jobs stimulus package today.

Ms Giddings is remaining tight-lipped about the details of the package but it is understood a key plank of the jobs plan will be the reintroduction of a first home-builders grant doubling the $7000 already available to those entering the housing market.

The State Government has promised the new Tasmanian Jobs Package will support the creation of more than 3300 jobs and leverage $375 million worth of private investment.

"The Tasmanian Jobs Package has been designed to boost confidence and maximise jobs in the state," Ms Giddings said yesterday.

"The included measures have been carefully considered to provide an immediate economic stimulus."

Tasmanian first home buyers currently receive a $7000 grant under a national scheme but the building industry has been calling for the reinstatement of a further $7000 for new homes.

The Mercury understands the State Government has agreed to at least double the grant for Tasmanians building their first home.

Although he was yet to see the details of the package, Master Builders Tasmania executive director Michael Kerschbaum last night welcomed the move.

He said any incentive to build homes would provide a much-needed confidence boost to the state's construction industry, which he said had shed 3000 jobs in the past 18 months.

"This will give people some confidence we're moving in the right direction," he said. "It will certainly lead to some new home builds."

It appears the Government will not take on the Opposition's policy of also offering additional stamp-duty relief via concessions for Tasmanians buying their first home.

The Mercury understands the Government has decided greater benefits will flow to the building industry by concentrating on new homes.

Ms Giddings said yesterday the Tasmanian Jobs Package, to be released today with the Revised Estimates Report, formerly known as the Mid-Year Financial Report, would include funding to extend the Tasmanian Government Innovation and Investment Fund and tax incentives for businesses to create new jobs.

"The Tasmanian Government is committed to growing jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians," she said.

"We have seen the creation of 1400 new jobs since May but we readily acknowledge more needs to be done to bring the unemployment rate down."

Ms Giddings said the first round of TGIIF attracted 76 applications for projects worth $36 million, with just 10 funded in round one.

The State Government will encourage unsuccessful companies to apply for the latest grant round.

matthew.smith@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crusader on the move

Paul Watson, pictured here in Hobart last year, is planning to rejoin the war against whaling this season.

ANTI-whaling crusader Paul Watson will not be deterred from his mission this whaling season, even if it means getting caught in Interpol's far-reaching nets.

The skipper of Sea Shepherd and its three sister ships will be joined on the southern seas by a fourth anti-whaling weapon in coming weeks to do battle in what it has dubbed the Whale Wars.

Sea Shepherd Hobart co-ordinator Anna Kingston said Mr Watson, wanted in Germany after skipping bail over an alleged boat-ramming incident earlier this year, had "jumped on board the Steve Irwin" and was on course with the ship Brigitte Bardot to approach Japan within weeks.

"This time they're aiming to cut the boats off as they're leaving Japan rather than wait for them to get into Antarctic waters," Ms Kingston said.

The jewel in the anti-whaling fleet's crown this season will, however, be a "new" vessel dubbed Sam Simon, after the environmental activist and co-creator of The Simpsons.

Sam Simon is now a member of the Sea Shepherd's advisory board.

The Japanese whalers are likely to get a shock when they see the ship.

It is a former whaling boat, bought from the Japanese by the anti-whaling activists, who did not alert the former owners to their true intentions with the ship. "It's been hidden away being refurbished up in Brisbane and this one is all white," Ms Kingston said.

"It'll look majestic coming into Hobart on Tuesday or Wednesday. Everyone who can should take the chance to get down to the docks to witness it for themselves."

The Sam Simon's namesake donated all the money needed to get the ship up to scratch for its role in this season's Operation Zero Tolerance to be played out on the Southern Ocean.

The ships will be backed up by a new airborne force unmanned drones. They will also have two helicopters.

Ms Kingston said the battle would continue even if Interpol caught up with their leader during the fight.

zara.dawtrey@news.com.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Seeking warmer waters

TROPICAL fish are venturing as far south as Tasmania in response to ocean warming.

Recent tropical sightings include turtles, a yellow-bellied sea snake, a green moray eel, tiger shark and a mahi-mahi dolphinfish.

The unusual sightings have been documented on the website Redmap, based on reports from divers, anglers and scientists.

Warmer waters are also attracting increasing numbers of big gamefish, such as marlin and yellowtail kingfish, which anglers say is a boon for the sport in Tasmania.

The "out-of-range" fish are being documented by Redmap so scientists can use sightings by recreational anglers and divers to help research into marine species' changing geographical range.

Redmap, the Range Extension Database and Mapping project, will extend from its current state focus when it goes national this week.

Redmap principal investigator Dr Gretta Pecl, from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, said all Australians would be able to report their unusual findings to Redmap after the national launch on Thursday.

Dr Pecl said the migrating tropical fish had been detected in increasing numbers over the past few years, and other popular fishing species from NSW and Victoria were becoming frequent visitors too.

"Some species that only appeared on the mainland, or only appeared in the north of Tasmania, are venturing further south," she said.

She said there were also growing numbers of eastern rock lobsters, including a population of about 35 living off the East Coast.

And snapper, not often sighted in the South until recently, is now so common it has a bag limit.

Dr Pecl said the migration of northern marine species could be for a range of reasons. While climate change was a major driver, other potential causes included changes in ocean currents, habitat availability, pollution and changes in mainland fishing activity.

The migration of new species has been welcomed by recreational anglers, who say the new species have created a boom.

Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing (TARFish) chief executive Mark Nikolai said anglers had noticed a rise in the number of popular sportsfish, including yellowtail kingfish, King George whiting, marlin and snapper.

He said these four species were extremely popular and would potentially increase fishing tourism to the state.

"It's all good news for Tasmania, as they expect more of these species to call Tasmania home," Mr Nikolai said.

He said the migrating sportsfish species were of little threat to local marine life, because the baitfish they ate moved down with them.

But Dr Pecl warned the warming oceans did attract some damaging species, such as long-spined sea urchins which were destroying habitats essential for rock lobsters and abalone.

Mr Nikolai said warmer waters had been detected by the CSIRO this year, as a result of the extension of the East Australian Current.

Data shows sea temperatures off the East Coast are warming at three times global average.

Redmap invites people to take photos of uncommon marine species and post them on www.redmap.org.au

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ideas plan to lift Tassie

WHISKY and food trails, attracting more international students and bringing old industrial sites back to life are some of the ideas contained in three regional economic plans for Tasmania.

The regional plans were released last month, following 38 community consultations held around the state in March and April involving almost 700 people.

They followed the release of a statewide economic development plan in August last year and the establishment soon after of three regional reference groups.

The plans include initiatives already announced and suggestions about new projects to boost each region.

Economic Development Minister David O'Byrne said the economic plans were 10-year strategies focussing on diversifying regional economies and identifying potential growth industries.

He said: "In developing each regional plan, we've talked directly to Tasmanians living, working, studying and investing in each region. We know regional communities are under pressure. This plan is an economic strategy run by communities, for communities."

Mr O'Byrne said key drivers of Tasmania's southern economy included aquaculture, viticulture, agriculture and Antarctic and Southern Ocean science.

The North's key industries were advanced manufacturing, food and agriculture including poppies, dairy, fruit, meat, vegetables and wine, forestry and related products, minerals and mining.

In the North-West, key industries were also advanced manufacturing and food production, as well as floriculture, aquaculture, dairy and mining.

Tourism was identified as an area of opportunity in all three regions. Go to: development. tas.gov.au to view the plans in full.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ambo boost call to aid responses

AMBULANCE crews must be boosted to improve Tasmania's emergency response times, says an internal report released yesterday.

The report calls for an urgent increase to crews and stations to bring down the emergency waiting times in Hobart and Launceston.

Denison Independent MP Andrew Wilkie condemned the State Government for failing to implement the main recommendations of the report done for Ambulance Tasmania.

"Tasmania has one of the worst capital city response times in the country," Mr Wilkie said.

"Instead of acting, the State Government has sat on the report that recommends a solution to this health problem for two years and the Tasmanian community is paying the price," Mr Wilkie said.

The report says: "The first priority is to raise emergency response standards in Hobart and Launceston by 2011-12."

It said an extra full-time crew was required in Hobart and Launceston bases, and three new stations were needed in the Hobart area.

Bryan Wilson of EMSPA, the Australian Paramedics Association, said the 2012 National Report on Government Services showed ambulance response times were among the worst in the country.

Among data referred to in the report released yesterday, two-thirds of emergency cases - including heart attacks - were not seen within 10 minutes in southern Tasmania.

That was despite a target used overseas and in South Australia of eight minutes in 90 per cent of cases.

Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne said 15 new paramedics would be employed this month and 15 in April next year.

She said statewide response times improved from 11.4 minutes to 11.2 minutes in the past financial year and response times had improved in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

Hobart's 2011-12 median wait time was 10.3 minutes.

"This report was commissioned as an internal planning tool and contained a raft of very useful information that we are already using," Ms O'Byrne said.

Among those, a first intervention vehicle was being trialled and was already improving response times.

Mr Wilkie said the government was only "tinkering around the edges".

Ambulance Tasmania said the eight-minute benchmark was not used in Tasmania nor many other jurisdictions.

14.56 | 0 komentar | Read More