Shades pulled on awnings

THE fight is over today for some of Hobart's most controversial window furnishings.

The battle to save the red awnings placed on a heritage-listed building has been lost, for four of the coverings at least.

Early today a crane will pull down the ground-level awnings from 26 Murray St, following a long-fought battle by the Heritage Council to axe all of the awnings.

The removal order affects only the round-shaped awnings, which means the remaining 12 flat awnings will stay on the former Savings Bank.

The building's caretaker, Kerry Faulkner, said it was an unfortunate day. "This is ridiculous," he said last night.

Mr Faulkner said the crane had been hired at the expense of the building's owners, and the street would be blocked off while the work was carried out from 7am.

Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Ron Christie, who is a red awnings supporter, said he was "dumbfounded" .

"This is bureaucracy gone crazy," he said. "We have more important issues to deal with in the city than an item like this."

Ald Christie said the awnings gave character and colour to Hobart, and the round ones were his favourites.

He said the round awnings were more in the character of similar awnings popular on heritage buildings in Paris, while the flat ones were more modern.

"I'm really dumbfounded as to why they have a bee in their bonnet over this one," he said.

A majority of Hobart City Council aldermen voted in favour of the red awnings last year but the awnings were rejected retrospectively by the Tasmanian Heritage Council.

Building owners and restorers Warwick and Helen Rule appealed that decision in the Resource Management Planning and Appeal Tribunal.

The tribunal ruled that all but the four round awnings could stay, on the basis the flat ones did not affect the cultural and heritage significance of the building.

The bright-red awnings divided public opinion last year.

Hobart businesses set up window displays supporting the awnings and a rally was organised at Parliament House by the Save the Red Awnings Group.

Mr Rule is overseas and could not be contacted last night.

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Mussel woe triggers recall

THE discovery of toxins in mussels from a Tasmanian seafood company has prompted a worldwide recall of the shellfish.

Spring Bay Seafoods has been forced to close temporarily and has recalled its award-winning blue mussels from its Asian customers.

The mussels, sold in their shells, have also been taken off Tasmanian and interstate shelves.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Bryan Green said he was extremely disappointed about the spread of the toxin, which was the result of a naturally occurring algal bloom.

"This is devastating for Spring Bay Seafoods and its workforce and we will keep the public up to date with information as it comes to hand," Mr Green said.

"Tasmania has an excellent reputation for high-quality, safe shellfish and it is hoped this is a short-term event and will have no lasting impacts. Public health is a priority and the closure is a precautionary measure."

Public health director Roscoe Taylor said the recall was prompted by the discovery of unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish toxins in the mussels, which are farmed near Maria Island.

Authorities have also stopped more than 10 nearby seafood farms from harvesting their shellfish. Dr Taylor said shellfish farms in Little Swanport, Georges Bay, Great Oyster Bay and Ansons Bay had been closed as a precaution.

The outbreak has also prompted extra testing of East Coast scallops. Although there is no ban on eating farmed scallops at this stage, the public has been warned against eating wild scallops.

Dr Taylor said symptoms of poisoning from the shellfish could occur within hours of consumption.

"I strongly stress people should not harvest or eat any wild shellfish from these affected areas as it could result in potentially fatal paralytic shellfish poisoning," Dr Taylor warned.

"No reports have been received of mussel or other shellfish-related illness, but high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins can be fatal in extreme cases and children are more susceptible."

Dr Taylor said poisoning symptoms included tingling in the mouth and extremities, pins and needles, unsteadiness on the feet, weakness of the arms or legs and nausea.

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Sorell poll reminder

SORELL ratepayers have been urged to have their say in the council by-election.

Deputy Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey today encouraged all Sorell electors to take the time to record their votes and post them ASAP.

As of today, 36.91 per cent of postal votes for the Sorell Council by-election have been returned. This compares with 40.18 per cent at the same stage of the ordinary election last year.

"Consider your vote right away so that you don't miss the deadline," Mr Hawkey said in a statement.

"You can post them to the Tasmanian Electoral Commission or hand deliver them to the Sorell Council office, located at 12 Somerville Street,  Sorell, before the close of the poll."

Votes must be received by 10am on Tuesday – Melbourne Cup Day.

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Rock lobster season looming

Tasmania's recreational rock lobster season opens on Saturday, November 3.

AS authorities today heralded the start of recreational rock lobster season this weekend, one man's plans to bag a few delicious "cray" had already come to an abrupt end.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Pieman Heads, on the West Coast, yesterday to rescue a Wynyard man, 68, who broke his leg while trying to free a stranded 4WD vehicle on a remote track.

He was airlifted to hospital, where he was today in a stable condition.

The man was setting up camp with a group of fishermen to get ready for rock lobster season, which opens on Saturday.

MAST recreational boating manager Peter Hopkins said the first weekend of the season was always a busy one.

He urged anyone planning to venture out on to the water to check their safety gear first.

"Life jackets only save lives when they are worn," Mr Hopkins said.

"You are legally obliged to wear them at all times on boats that are 6m and under, but we recommend that life jackets are worn on larger boats as well."

Tasmania Police will be patrolling waterways around the state, focusing on safety and rock lobster fishery quotas.

Police Marine and Rescue Services Sergeant John Pratt said officers would provide up-to-date advice to fishermen and recreational boaters.

"Everyone loves a day out on the water, but alcohol and boating are a potentially lethal combination," Sergeant Pratt said.

"Just like when driving a car, a boat skipper's blood-alcohol level must not exceed .05.

"Fishers must be aware of bag limits and requirements around licences.

"Ignorance will not be a reasonable excuse for anyone found not adhering to the rules and regulations."

Mr Hopkins also urged boats to keep an eye on the weather.

"If you are in any doubt about the upcoming weather forecast, postpone your day out until you are sure that weather conditions are good."

For a full rundown on licensing information and bag limits, visit the State Government website.

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Tassie Tiger returns

A TIGER AIRWAYS plane touched down in Hobart this morning for the first time in 16 months.

Tiger Airways' commercial director Carly Brear was on board the flight and is urging Tasmanians to give the airline a second chance.

She said the airline had a renewed focus on safety after its planes were grounded in July last year by the aviation safety regulator over safety concerns.

"I'm keen to make it clear to people it's very much about the new look Tiger [with a] focus on delivering operational excellence," Ms Brear said.

"Please don't think too much of your [experience] of Tiger 14 months ago, there have been an awful lot of changes."

Ms Brear said Tiger would mark its return to Tasmania with a 24-hour fare sale, with discount tickets available on the company's website from 7 o'clock tonight.

The deal will see 1000 $29.95 fares offered on the Hobart-Melbourne route for travel in February 2013.

Tiger will run two daily services between Melbourne and Hobart, delivering 5000 visitors to the Hobart airport each week.

Ms Brear said there was demand for the budget services offered by Tiger and hinted the number of flights in and out of the state could increase if the airline was well supported.

"We've gone in with the right capacity for the demand at the moment but that's not to say we won't increase the number of flights if there's demand in the future," she said."

The airline will run three daily services in the days before Christmas to cater for the surge in demand for flights.

Virgin Australia this week made a bid for a 60 per cent share of Tiger Australia. Ms Brear said Tiger was expected to continue operating a separate brand from Virgin.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings, Hobart airport chief Rod Parry and Tourism Tasmania marketing director Kath McCann will be at the airport to greet the Tiger plane, which arrives at 8.15am.

The return of Tiger coincides with a boost in flights by competitors Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas.

hannah.martin@news.com.au

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Anti-smokers hit spend

HEALTH experts have called for increased funding to help tackle Tasmania's high smoking rates.

New figures showing the proportion of smokers is still higher than the national average prompted state Quit Services and the Heart Foundation to lobby for more money for anti-smoking marketing on social media.

New Australian Health Survey results show the state's proportion of smokers is 23.2 per cent, compared with the national average of 18.1 per cent.

Quit Services director Kathryn Terry said reducing smoking rates required multiple strategies but she cited social marketing funding as the reason Tasmania was failing to make significant inroads into the problem.

"Other states have had a big commitment in terms of social marketing dollars and we've just had an increase in the past few years," Ms Terry said.

Heart Foundation CEO Graeme Lynch said extra marketing dollars for anti-smoking campaigns would be one of the best health spends for the state -- and could be achieved for $500,000.

"Smoking is a very complex issue in Tasmania and it's primarily tied up with the social circumstances of our population," he said.

"Evidence tells us that a combination in federal excise duty on cigarettes and an increase in sustained social marketing will drive down smoking rates.

"An additional $500,000 would be enough to hit the amount of social marketing the evidence suggests is required."

The figures showed states such as New South Wales and Queensland have reduced their rates by more than 4 percentage points to 16.4 per cent and 19 per cent respectively since 2007-08.

Tasmania's proportion of smokers only fell by 1.7 percentage points, down from 24.9 per cent.

Ms Terry said Quit Services' social marketing funding from the State Government had significantly increased in the 2009-2010 financial year.

This financial year it received $288,000, the majority of which was earmarked for TV campaigns.

"The way our funding is structured, the majority has to go where the evidence says it's most effective, and that's TV," Ms Terry said.

"Television campaigns are really emotive and have the reach and intensity in getting across the Quit message."

Mr Lynch said smoking was a risk factor for many chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, cancer and respiratory conditions.

"As long as Tasmanians continue to smoke, we will continue to face huge long-term health challenges," he said.

Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne said the State Government had made a concerted effort to de-normalise smoking.

"We have made it illegal to smoke around playgrounds, around sports grounds and in outdoor dining areas," Ms O'Byrne said.

"And we have given the director of public health the power to rule public events smoke-free.

"The test of these reforms will be in the smoking rates over the years to come and I believe we will see those rates fall."

elizabeth.lord@news.com.au

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Daylight robbery alarm

A bracelet stolen in the Rosny burglary. Pictures: TASMANIA POLICE

ANTIQUE jewellery and other valuables have been stolen in a wave of daylight robberies on Hobart's Eastern Shore.

Bellerive police today urged the public to report any suspicious offers of jewellery for sale.

In one crime last Friday, a thief entered a Rosny home when the owner was present, Detective Senior Constable Michael Bobrowski said.

The woman did not realise but later noticed a large amount of her treasured jewellery had been taken.

Among the collection were distinctive heirloom and antique pieces.

"There are rings, bracelets, brooches, treasured family items," " Snr Constable Bobrowski said.

"She was, naturally, distressed.

"There have been a number of similar incidents on the Eastern Shore in the last four to six weeks."

He said goods being targeted by thieves included laptops, PlayStations and jewellery -- anything easily transportable that would fetch money.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Bellerive detectives on 6230 2685.

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Live blog: Copping tip C-cell

IT has raised the ire of locals and has become a central issue in the Sorell council elections: Southern Waste Solution's proposed C-cell at the Copping tip site.

Residents of the area have held community meetings and handed a 1700-strong petition against the proposal to the Sorell Council -- believed to be the largest petition ever received by the council.

It has also generated plenty of strong words on this website.

Now, SWS CEO Christine Bell will join readers from 11am this Thursday for a live blog on the development, to answer your questions and hear your concerns.

So start getting your questions ready for what is sure to be a lively session.

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Dreaming the Lotto dream

ONE in four Tasmanian adults will be hoping they hold the lucky ticket that will make them Australia's biggest ever lottery winner tonight.

Tatts expects 100,000 Tasmanians will have purchased tickets for tonight's $70 million Oz Lotto jackpot by the time entries close.

Kate Howard, 21, of Rosny, bought a ticket for the first time.

"My mum mentioned something about the $70 million so I thought I'd buy one," she said.

A local supermarket syndicate recently bought their winning ticket worth $1.37 million from Eastlands Lotto.

"We sell more Lotto tickets here than anywhere in Tasmania," owner Russell Tisdale said.

Derwent Park Newsagency co-owner Glenn Connane said tickets for tonight's draw had been flying out the door.

"We're probably selling 300 a day, which is three times normal at least," he said.

He was expecting a final rush this evening as punters left their run to the last minute.

"We'll still be going at one minute to six," he said.

The last Oz Lotto win for Tasmania was in 2010 when an entry purchased in Penguin won $2.5 million.

Tatts Lotteries spokeswoman Zoe Knobel encouraged people to register their entry to a Tatts Card so they could be easily contacted if they won.

The draw will be broadcast about 8.40pm, or go to www.tatts.com

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The great haul of China

HOBART is poised to become China's gateway to Antarctica, in a partnership that could deliver tens of millions of dollars to the city each year.

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas revealed yesterday that official discussions had begun to establish the city as a hub for Chinese research activity in Antarctica.

He said council had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese city of Shanghai Pudong and hoped Hobart would become a base for their Antarctic vessels and research teams.

He said the Chinese polar research institute had applied for funding to buy a large Hercules-type aircraft to run between two Chinese stations in Antarctica and Australia's Casey Station.

"That will mean they will start shipping heavy equipment out of Hobart airport," he said.

He hoped the partnership could be established within a year, and said there were suggestions Chinese scientists would station themselves in Hobart, working alongside leading Antarctic researchers.

"If we get the research vessel coming here, collaborating with research and shipping people, [and they get] their personnel and equipment from here, it will be [worth] tens of millions of dollars a year [to Hobart]," Ald Thomas said.

He hoped to gain support for the plan from UTAS and the Antarctic Research Division. The move is part of a major Hobart City Council initiative to boost relations with China.

Celebrating one year in their roles with council, Ald Thomas and deputy mayor Ron Christie yesterday confirmed plans to host a Chinese expo in Hobart next year. Officials from Shenzhen contacted council at the weekend to accept an invitation to host the event, which will showcase the Chinese manufacturing city.

It follows the mayor's trip to China with Premier Lara Giddings earlier this year and a trip Ald Christie and council economic adviser Tim Short made to Sydney earlier this year for a meeting with Shenzhen mayor Xu Qin.

Ald Christie said Mr Xu was one of the most influential and powerful leaders in China. Shenzhen is a hi-tech and manufacturing hub in southern China, with the world's fourth-busiest container port, China's fourth-busiest airport and is a top tourist destination.

More than 10 million people live in Shenzhen.

Ald Thomas said he would approach the State Government to hold the expo at Princes Wharf No.1 on the Hobart waterfront. He said representatives from other Australian capital cities would be invited and hoped it would attract more than 400 delegates from China.

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Penalty rates cut push

CALLS are growing for a review of penalty rates for hospitality workers, amid fears Tasmania's tourism credentials are being tarnished by a "ghost town" appearance.

Western Tiers MLC Greg Hall will move a motion in the State Parliament next week calling for a review of penalty rates legislation.

Mr Hall said there were widespread concerns in the tourism industry about the cost of keeping doors open on public holidays and Sundays.

His calls follow the Hobart Show Day public holiday on Thursday when the Hobart CBD resembled a ghost town, with many businesses choosing not to open their doors.

"I am not talking about the complete abolition of all penalty rates, but about striking a better balance to allow more businesses to open their doors and employ more people," Mr Hall said.

Hobart City Council alderman and long-time restaurateur Marti Zucco said that the issue needed to be taken up by politicians immediately.

"It seems that our leaders are quick to jump on the Lonely Planet guide bandwagon but they fail to understand the disadvantages facing the hospitality industry and Tasmanian tourism," Ald Zucco said.

"If we are to capitalise on this we must restructure the old five-day mentality when it is in fact a seven-day industry," he said.

"Tourism should not be closed down on public holidays."

Tasmanian Hospitality Association industrial relations manager Ben Walker said that some businesses were losing thousands of dollars to stay open on public holidays.

"We need rates of pay that are sustainable both for workers and for employers," Mr Walker said.

"No one wants to see a return to a harsh wage regime but just something that is balanced."

The hourly pay rate doubles for many hospitality workers who work on public holidays.

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No forest peace in our time

NO UPSIDE: Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke and Deputy Premier Bryan Green talk to the media about the imminent failure of the forestry peace deal in Tasmania. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE future of what was once one of Tasmania's most thriving industries was in tatters yesterday, after marathon forestry peace talks were finally felled by warring parties.

Even a $120 million assistance package to be used for industry restructuring and economic diversification, that was still sitting on the table, could not induce co-operation between forestry and conservation groups.

The breakdown left a weary and visibly upset federal Environment Minister Tony Burke with the task of telling Tasmanians there would be no end to the decades-long conflict over the forests.

"Signatories could not reach agreement between the conservation reserves and a minimum sawlog volume," Mr Burke said.

Predictions of a dire economic downturn were put into stark perspective by rumours of Malaysian veneer company Ta Ann's potential withdrawal from the state, with the collapse of the peace talks now leaving thousands of forestry jobs and contracts in limbo.

An industry source said Ta Ann, which employs 160 workers at its Smithton and Huon Valley mills, had warned the Government that the mills would close if the talks failed because it was not willing to operate in an environment of controversy and conflict.

Dr Jonathan West, the head of the six-member scientific panel that advised signatories, said the failure of the talks was "a tragic and disastrous outcome for Tasmania".

"This agreement made it possible to protect the forests and industry; both sides could win, now both sides will lose everything because of a stubborn refusal to budge," Dr West said.

The loss of Ta Ann would cost the state millions, with the Malaysian timber giant last year injecting $45 million into the Tasmanian economy.

Mr Burke and Deputy Premier Bryan Green said they were "deeply pessimistic" about any resolution in the near future.

"No amount of goodwill can bridge the gap between the signatories," Mr Burke said. "I looked around the table and I looked at each party and I couldn't see an upside to any of them."

Premier Lara Giddings refused to comment on the collapse of the peace talks, but Mr Green put it in perspective.

"They have represented their constituents the best they possibly can," he said. "We can't see how there could possibly be agreement between them."

After the talks broke down, it didn't take long for the knives to come out.

The collapse of the IGA, established in August last year, was welcomed by pro-industry lobby group Give It Back.

"The Tasmanian Government now needs to legislate, if need be, to allow Tasmanians to work without the threat and danger of radical groups coming into their workplace and disrupting it," Give It Back spokeswoman Dimity Hirst said.

"We now need to rally together and support what is left of our timber industry and mining industry and allow them to rebuild and get Tasmanians working again."

Forestry Industries Association chief Terry Edwards yesterday claimed he was bullied by the state and federal ministers to lower the industry resource quota.

Mr Edwards said that the sticking point was the incompatibility between the claimed forest reserves and industry resource volumes.

"Conservation groups have consistently refused to meet resource guarantees that were given at the outset by both the federal and state governments," Mr Edwards said.

Wilderness Society boss Vica Bayley blamed the collapse solely on FIAT and old-growth sawmillers who refused to stop logging World Heritage forests.

Mr Bayley said that products sourced from old-growth and high conservation-value forests were no longer acceptable in today's market.

He said conservation groups would concentrate their efforts on the domestic markets to convince the timber industry of the need to change.

jennifer.crawley.news.net.au

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Penalty rates cut push

CALLS are growing for a review of penalty rates for hospitality workers, amid fears Tasmania's tourism credentials are being tarnished by a "ghost town" appearance.

Western Tiers MLC Greg Hall will move a motion in the State Parliament next week calling for a review of penalty rates legislation.

Mr Hall said there were widespread concerns in the tourism industry about the cost of keeping doors open on public holidays and Sundays.

His calls follow the Hobart Show Day public holiday on Thursday when the Hobart CBD resembled a ghost town, with many businesses choosing not to open their doors.

"I am not talking about the complete abolition of all penalty rates, but about striking a better balance to allow more businesses to open their doors and employ more people," Mr Hall said.

Hobart City Council alderman and long-time restaurateur Marti Zucco said that the issue needed to be taken up by politicians immediately.

"It seems that our leaders are quick to jump on the Lonely Planet guide bandwagon but they fail to understand the disadvantages facing the hospitality industry and Tasmanian tourism," Ald Zucco said.

"If we are to capitalise on this we must restructure the old five-day mentality when it is in fact a seven-day industry," he said.

"Tourism should not be closed down on public holidays."

Tasmanian Hospitality Association industrial relations manager Ben Walker said that some businesses were losing thousands of dollars to stay open on public holidays.

"We need rates of pay that are sustainable both for workers and for employers," Mr Walker said.

"No one wants to see a return to a harsh wage regime but just something that is balanced."

The hourly pay rate doubles for many hospitality workers who work on public holidays.

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No forest peace in our time

NO UPSIDE: Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke and Deputy Premier Bryan Green talk to the media about the imminent failure of the forestry peace deal in Tasmania. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE future of what was once one of Tasmania's most thriving industries was in tatters yesterday, after marathon forestry peace talks were finally felled by warring parties.

Even a $120 million assistance package to be used for industry restructuring and economic diversification, that was still sitting on the table, could not induce co-operation between forestry and conservation groups.

The breakdown left a weary and visibly upset federal Environment Minister Tony Burke with the task of telling Tasmanians there would be no end to the decades-long conflict over the forests.

"Signatories could not reach agreement between the conservation reserves and a minimum sawlog volume," Mr Burke said.

Predictions of a dire economic downturn were put into stark perspective by rumours of Malaysian veneer company Ta Ann's potential withdrawal from the state, with the collapse of the peace talks now leaving thousands of forestry jobs and contracts in limbo.

An industry source said Ta Ann, which employs 160 workers at its Smithton and Huon Valley mills, had warned the Government that the mills would close if the talks failed because it was not willing to operate in an environment of controversy and conflict.

Dr Jonathan West, the head of the six-member scientific panel that advised signatories, said the failure of the talks was "a tragic and disastrous outcome for Tasmania".

"This agreement made it possible to protect the forests and industry; both sides could win, now both sides will lose everything because of a stubborn refusal to budge," Dr West said.

The loss of Ta Ann would cost the state millions, with the Malaysian timber giant last year injecting $45 million into the Tasmanian economy.

Mr Burke and Deputy Premier Bryan Green said they were "deeply pessimistic" about any resolution in the near future.

"No amount of goodwill can bridge the gap between the signatories," Mr Burke said. "I looked around the table and I looked at each party and I couldn't see an upside to any of them."

Premier Lara Giddings refused to comment on the collapse of the peace talks, but Mr Green put it in perspective.

"They have represented their constituents the best they possibly can," he said. "We can't see how there could possibly be agreement between them."

After the talks broke down, it didn't take long for the knives to come out.

The collapse of the IGA, established in August last year, was welcomed by pro-industry lobby group Give It Back.

"The Tasmanian Government now needs to legislate, if need be, to allow Tasmanians to work without the threat and danger of radical groups coming into their workplace and disrupting it," Give It Back spokeswoman Dimity Hirst said.

"We now need to rally together and support what is left of our timber industry and mining industry and allow them to rebuild and get Tasmanians working again."

Forestry Industries Association chief Terry Edwards yesterday claimed he was bullied by the state and federal ministers to lower the industry resource quota.

Mr Edwards said that the sticking point was the incompatibility between the claimed forest reserves and industry resource volumes.

"Conservation groups have consistently refused to meet resource guarantees that were given at the outset by both the federal and state governments," Mr Edwards said.

Wilderness Society boss Vica Bayley blamed the collapse solely on FIAT and old-growth sawmillers who refused to stop logging World Heritage forests.

Mr Bayley said that products sourced from old-growth and high conservation-value forests were no longer acceptable in today's market.

He said conservation groups would concentrate their efforts on the domestic markets to convince the timber industry of the need to change.

jennifer.crawley.news.net.au

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