Tassie losing big works battle

IT is the battleground on which the next state election may well be fought: Is Tasmania open for business?

Whether it is a difficult investment environment, red tape, green tape, NIMBYs or planning delays, the state is dotted with major projects taking years to get off the ground.

Hobart's Myer development, Parliament Square, Pumphouse Point ... the list goes on.

The $2 billion Gunns pulp mill project is testament to the state's sometimes uncanny knack for failing to get a major project from concept to reality.

Liberal Leader Will Hodgman pins the blame for the high number of stalled projects on the Government.

"Only the Liberals have a plan to create a simplified, single statewide planning system, a plan to cut the red and green tape that is holding these projects back," he said.

Premier Lara Giddings said the State Government was committed to maintaining an attractive investment environment.

She said Tasmania enjoyed the lowest land costs, the lowest business licensing costs and the lowest tax burden of any state.

"The vast majority of major projects awaiting construction already have all the necessary planning approvals in place," she said.

"Difficulty obtaining finance is the most significant hurdle that any project faces."

Ms Giddings's office provided a list with $1.4 billion of developments now under way – 72 per cent of which are funded by the government sector.

Tasmanian Industry Group executive director Daniel Leesong said developers needed a great deal of patience to see their projects through.

"There's no doubt the issue around potential for sovereign and government risk – political risk is very apparent within Tasmania," he said.

"You can see that in a number of developments that have been frustrated either through vexatious appeals or through political intervention, which hasn't been particularly helpful.

"Parliament Square is probably the best example.

It's gone through all the necessary approvals.

It's investment-ready, but then gets stalled through what can only be described as people trying to use the system to stop developments that are ready to go."

Property Council of Australia executive director Mary Massina said green and red tape, and duplication between levels of government, were big issues.

"The planning issue is a major one, and if you look at environmental or heritage assessments – that process is quite lengthy," she said.

"The planning malaise is really a large one."

Ms Massina said Tasmania had to work harder to get the results it needed to have a strong and vibrant economy.

"Even if you were to look at it in terms of attracting mainland investors – whether they want to buy a home or a shack, let alone pulling major developments – you have to look at your market and your tax and planning regimes and your infrastructure and at how competitive we are with other jurisdictions," she said.

"Our market is smaller than the likes of Melbourne or Sydney or Brisbane so when we need to attract investment we have to be more flexible and nimble on our feet and go over and above in terms of providing economic development policies."

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist Phil Bayley said planning wasn't entirely to blame.

"Tasmania, in a lot of cases, can be one of the quicker jurisdictions.

One of the problems we've identified is that appeal rights are available to a much wider group of people than in other jurisdictions.

"Confidence in the Tasmanian economy is holding back projects.

"When you overlay challenges like planning, people look at it and think it's too hard."

STATE OF PLAY

MYER REDEVELOPMENT
$100 MILLION
DELAYED

Hobart's Myer department store was destroyed by fire in September 2007.

The proposed redevelopment is not expected to reopen for shoppers until Christmas 2014.

The Mercury this week reported the latest hold-up is due to wrangling over the cost of water and sewerage connection.

PARLIAMENT SQUARE
$100 MILLION
DELAYED

First announced in 2008 the redevelopment has been delayed by a series of planning appeals which aimed to save the state office block at 10 Murray St from demolition.

Construction on the project is tipped to start before Christmas and be completed over four years, providing 400 direct and indirect jobs.

PARANVILLE
$900 MILLION
DELAYED

Construction of a $900 million Eastern Shore housing development is hoped to begin by the end of this year.

About 2000 new residents are expected to eventually settle on the 158ha rural site near Clarendon Vale, slated for the suburb of Paranville.

The development is a key part of the state's push into Asia by attracting hundreds of mainly Korean language students and migrants.

MT WELLINGTON CABLE CAR AND VISITOR CENTRE
$40 MILLION
SLOWED

Investors and manufacturers are lined up, but project is awaiting approval from Wellington Park Trust and State Government.

Proponent Adrian Bold has been pursuing the project for two years.

Mr Bold says the project is ready to proceed as soon as approvals are gained and could be built in just 18 months, but he expects to spend another two or three years in the planning process.

SEVEN MILE BEACH GOLF DEVELOPMENT
$15 MILLION
SLOWED

Professional golfer Matt Goggin is seeking to develop two courses on 300ha of land on the eastern side of Seven Mile Beach.

The plan involves the construction of one or two public golf courses and a clubhouse, estimated to cost between $10 million and $15 million.

The project is bogged down in the planning process and is proceeding slowly.

SPRINGS VISITORS CENTRE
$3.5 MILLION
ON HOLD

Robert Morris-Nunn first came up with the plans for a visitors centre at the Springs response to a Hobart City Council request in 1999.

The project is ready to proceed but stalled awaiting funding for infrastructure works.

NORTHERN SUBURBS LIGHT RAIL
$100 MILLION
STALLED AND UNFUNDED

A high-level task force has been established to chase federal government funding.

Project faces critical deadline in upcoming round of Infrastructure Australia grants.

Coalition has indicated a reluctance to fund urban passenger rail projects.

BROOKE ST PIER REDEVELOPMENT
$10 MILLION
PROGRESSING

Delayed in the planning process, the Hobart development is back on tracks after a funding agreement between government and proponents.

AIRPORT SHOPPING CENTRE
$100 MILLION
ABANDONED

Planned $100 million retail outlet near Hobart Airport that was abandoned due to inability to secure investors.

The Hobart Capital + Home factory outlet and homemaker centre at Mornington would have created 700 jobs.

david.killick@news.com.au

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Left in casualty for days

THE Royal Hobart Hospital has ordered a review into why a patient spent two days waiting for treatment on a trolley in its emergency department.

Kingston man David Dawes said despite having private health cover and always paying his Medicare levy, he was forced to lie on the trolley and a chair in the public hospital while he waited for a bed.

"There were other people waiting to go upstairs to a ward too, it's disgraceful," he said.

The hospital said the length of time Mr Dawes, 56, had to wait for a bed was unacceptable and it would investigate the matter.

Mr Dawes first went to hospital after an accident left a drill bit in his foot.

The Hobart Private Hospital had no access to an orthopaedic surgeon that day so he had his operation in the Royal.

But a week later his GP said his sore, reddened leg was infected and sent him back to hospital – where he waited, and waited.

Mr Dawes said he went to the Royal at lunchtime on Monday, April 8 and was not sent to his own room until late on Wednesday, April 10.

Tasmanian Health Organisation South chief executive Jane Holden said Mr Dawes waited 46 hours.

"Mr Dawes spent an unacceptable amount of time in ED awaiting a ward bed," Ms Holden said.

"This length of stay in ED raises serious issues, which have been referred for clinical and operational review."

The Hobart Private Hospital said orthopaedic specialists who accepted referrals from its emergency department might sometimes be unavailable and in such cases they would advise and organise a transfer to the RHH.

Mr Dawes said he spent a day and a half on a trolley in the RHH then another day in the children's emergency section on a reclining chair that was so badly positioned he was having physio for back pain.

"I couldn't adjust it and I was sitting on timber," he said.

He was on a drip and having observations taken and said he was only given sandwiches until he demanded a meal.

His sister Judy Bishop said she felt sorry for nursing staff who often ended up working extra shifts, but that it must put patient care in jeopardy.

"This must happen to people all the time, we aren't an isolated case," she said.

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Near-misses on Targa day two

IT WAS back to business for the Targa Tasmania field yesterday and, despite a few near-misses, the only injuries were a few bruised egos.

The 200-strong field tackled eight stages through the state's North-East and five competitors crashed their cars -- two of them rolled.

Despite some sad-looking vehicles, there wasn't so much as a scratch on a competitor and the Targa transport bus was kept busy collecting teams needing a ride.

The event continued after the tragedy on Wednesday when John Mansell, 71, of Newcastle, was killed when his Porsche hit a tree on the Deloraine stage.

His navigator, Tristan Catford, 26, of NSW, is still in Launceston General Hospital with severe neck injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery.

The two, particularly Mansell, were in the forefront of the minds of competitors yesterday, especially defending champion Jason White, who knew him.

"He was a hell of a bloke and it's rattled all of us," White said.

"We were good mates with him as most of the Targa community was.

"He was one of the smiliest, most likable blokes around the place.

"It's a real shame and everyone's definitely feeling it and I'm sure we will all be remembering him as we do the rest of it."

White said there was no need for anyone to withdraw from the event.

"It's more of a case that he realised the risks and was doing exactly what he loved to do," he said.

"And to all of us who are doing this, it is actually the purest form of living."

Day two was a testing course, particularly for Rockhampton mechanic Wayne Menzies, who rolled his Lancer Evo IX on Rossarden. It was his first Targa Tasmania.

"We came over the crest and got a bit of air and, with the road wet and slippery, we lost control and over we went a couple of times," he said.

NSW team Peter and Trent Avery did the same thing on Elephant Pass.

They went bush and a rescue unit used a chainsaw to clear tree limbs so their Lancer Evo VIII could be pulled out.

Only a handful of the 200-strong field has pulled out so far, and another eight stages through the state's west will test the teams today. Targa finishes in Hobart on Sunday.

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20 years of trash to treasure

The Recovery Shop staff member Anne Cleal, of Risdon Vale, and owner Brad Mashman celebrate 20 years of recycling.

TASMANIA'S first tip shop is 20 years old and owner Brad Mashman reckons it has found new uses for at least 15 million items, saving tonnes of worthwhile products from being buried in landfill.

Staff at the Glenorchy business, now known as The Recovery Shop, are planning a three-day celebration of this "collective achievement" to thank customers for playing their part.

The shop has recorded some impressive statistics, with more than 104,000 drop-offs and 900,000 visits by customers, helping generate $8 million in turnover, which has gone straight back into the local economy.

In the early days, Mr Mashman and his collaborators tossed around several possible names for their new enterprise -- including Golden Retrievers -- before settling on the Tip Shop, which said it all. Later they changed the name to The Recovery Shop to reflect a more professional approach to resource recovery.

"When we started, the intention was to see the growth of the industry," said Mr Mashman, an industrial designer with a passion for environmental issues.

Little did they know how the tip shop concept would spread far and wide -- right across the country.

The 20th anniversary celebrations begin at 11am today, when Glenorchy Mayor Stuart Slade officially opens The Recovery Shop sculpture garden, featuring new sculptures by artist Jon Williamson.

On Sunday, the business unveils a garden setting created by artist Sue Croger.

These new creations celebrate the shop's long connection with the art world, starting in 1994 with the Moonah Arts Centre's Art from Trash exhibition.

Tomorrow and Sunday, the shop at Jackson St is offering a 25 per cent discount on all items.

Other attractions will include a sausage sizzle, music, lucky dips, a "guess what it is" competition, face painting, a balloon-twisting clown and other entertainers

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Mum's a legend, says Laura

RAISING four children, looking after a sick husband and travelling around the Midlands caring for others as a child health nurse ... it's all in a day's work for Tasmanian Mother of the Year Michele King.

The Campbell Town mother-of-four was nominated for the Barnardos Australia award by her teenage daughter Laura King-Grey.

Laura, a boarder at Newstead College in Launceston, said it was not until she left home this year to attend Year 11 in the city that she realised how much she depended on her mother.

"My mother is a legend," she said. "She has raised a large family in very difficult circumstances, with a sick husband."

Laura said her father was dealing with a neurological disorder and her younger brother Alexander was born with a heart condition and was not expected to survive infancy but, after multiple surgical operations and with the love and support of his family, had grown up to be a thriving Year 7 student.

Her mother had coped with all that as well as travelling far and wide caring for other mums and children as a child health nurse.

Ms King said her nomination was a total surprise.

"I feel quite humbled," she said. "Generally the work of mothers is not acknowledged. It was very nice of Laura to nominate me. I'm very fortunate to have fabulous teenagers."

The other nominee at today's ceremony, Annette Bennett, had her name put forward by 11-year-old daughter Selamawit, who was adopted from Ethiopia at the age of three.

In a tearful tribute, Selamawit said her mother had "saved my life" and given her the opportunity to love life and the courage to live her dreams.

"Family is not whose blood you carry but who you love and who loves you," she said.

Both mothers were presented with flowers and prizes by Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas at the ceremony at MONA.

Ms King and Laura head to Sydney next month, where the Australian Mother of the Year is to be announced on May 10 -- just before Mother's Day.

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Chopper exercise over Hobart

The Westpac Police Rescue helicopter in action.

HOBART residents should not be alarmed by helicopters flying overhead tonight, police say, with a training exercise planned between 8pm and 10pm.

A similar exercise last year caused significant concern in the community, with low-flying helicopters angering some Hobart residents.

A police spokeswoman said this time around disruption to the general public was intended to be minimal and there should be no cause for alarm.

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Meat pie off menu, says Rudd

Former PM Kevin Rudd had plenty of advice for Tasmanian tourism chiefs today on the burgeoning Chinese market. Picture: LEIGH WINBURN

LEARN Chinese and take the meat pies off the menu -- that's the message from Sinophile Labor MP Kevin Rudd to Tasmania's tourism chiefs.

Addressing the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania meeting in Hobart today, Mr Rudd gave his perspective on ways the industry might cash in as the burgeoning Chinese middle class catches the travel bug.

Mr Rudd said he had never worked in the tourism industry and his advice was in the form of friendly observations to boost the industry in Tasmania.

Unspoiled nature, seafood and high-standard accommodation were key strengths Tasmania must use to its advantage he said.

"Tasmania is potentially a very good and great brand in China," he said.

"When they think of a place like this, what are its three essential assets? It's clean, it's green and it's blue -- there's a blue ocean out there and the skies are also blue.

"If you're living in downtown Beijing, you might have seen the news in the last 12 months that it hasn't been the cleanest of environmental experiences.

"In fact, that can be said of most if not all of China's major cities.

"Therefore the intrinsic appeal of being able to get out and experience a clean environment with decent first-class accommodation and being able to experience something of the natural environment is frankly up there at the top of the pops."

But some of the attractions that appealed to domestic tourists would not be a Chinese tourist's cup of tea.

"I wouldn't seek to advertise Tasmania's colonial architectural heritage. People like us would enjoy that (but) I don't think the Chinese would give a bugger about it to be honest," the former prime minister said.

"If you think mum's home-baked meat pie is the way through, think again. It does not translate, it does not compute."

He said lashings of Tasmania's famous seafood, access to fast broadband and improving language skills among hospitality workers were further keys to success in the Chinese market.

david.killick@news.com.au

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Let there be light

THE light went up on a bold $300,000 sculpture at Sandy Bay last night after a seven-year saga.

The 10m-tall stainless steel Beacon, by Sydney sculptor Ari Purhonen, was unveiled by Lord Mayor Damon Thomas yesterday afternoon at the end of the Long Beach promenade near Prosser's Restaurant.

Also present was Alderman John Freeman, who was Lord Mayor when the project began and copped a lot of criticism for it.

Alderman Thomas was not on the council at the time but was pleased to finally unveil the work.

"I think it is magnificent," he said.

"It is such a valuable addition to our cultural landscape.

"This is a major piece of art by a significant Australian sculptor and it is in a beautiful spot.

"Through commissioning of this major work, the City of Hobart has made a very conscious decision to say that public art is highly valued in Hobart."

The light illuminating the interior of the work was designed to produce a lantern-like appearance at night.

People will be able to see glowing from across the River Derwent.

Purhonen said in the daylight, the shiny steel rods created a different effect.

"Optical illusions of striated patterns resulting from walking past the artwork on the promenade and a mirage-like shimmer when seen from afar are akin to shifting patterns in sand and ripples in water produced by the breeze," he said.

The council approved funding for a significant sculpture in April 2006 and Purhonen won the commission seven months later.

But the original plan to place it at the far end of the promenade on Blinking Billy Point was abandoned after a public outcry.

Opponents presented a petition to the council in August 2008 bearing 1200 signatures and some residents compared the work to a sewerage vent.

Four members of the council's Public Art Special Committee, including Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery director Bill Bleathman and Professor Noel Frankham, head of the UTAS School of Art, felt compelled to issue a statement defending the work, saying it was elegant, simple and designed to remind viewers of the history of Blinking Billy Point and its lighthouse, as well as Aboriginal campfires in the area.

Ald Thomas said Tasmanian Stephen Walker's Tidal Pools sculpture was likely to be installed at the Blinking Billy Point site.

Tidal Pools was at Mawson Place in the city for 12 years but was moved earlier this year to make way for a skating rink.

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Who's carrying the can?

A young Audrey Williams with her bike and her trusty Bucky can. Picture: LIFE MAGAZINE

HAVE you seen this bucket?

Otherwise known as a "Buckby can", these brightly painted pails were used as water buckets, wash basins and for a variety of other uses on board British canal boats.

Now the hunt is on to find the Buckby can once owned by Hobart resident Audrey Williams.

Mrs Williams used to be a river boat steerer during World War II, ferrying supplies to and from British factories at a time when most able-bodied men were away fighting.

She now lives in Hobart but prior to moving in to the Vaucluse Gardens retirement village in 2000 she held a garage sale and one of the items sold was her Buckby can.

The 91-year-old is the subject of an upcoming book by British writer Tim Coghlan and he hopes to find and buy the can so it can be placed in a museum.

The can and dipper (similar to a ladle) were sold at a garage sale in Lachlan Drive, Mt Nelson, in 2000 to an unknown woman.

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Plastic bags to get the boot

Legislation will be tabled in State Parliament today to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags by November this year.

THE State Government is forging ahead with plans to ban non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags in Tasmania.

Legislation will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow morning in a bid to have a ban in place by November this year.

Environment Minister Brian Wightman today said the timing was right for a ban on the non-biodegradable bags mostly commonly used in supermarkets.

"We need a ban that keeps our communities and waterways clean, and our wildlife protected," he said.

"We've worked very closely with environmental campaigners, and with businesses, to develop a ban that's effective, fair on business, and safe for consumers.

Tasmanian shoppers will still be able to use biodegradable plastic bags, heavier "boutique-style" plastic bags that can be re-used, and re-usable "green" bags.

The Tasmanian Greens, who first called for the ban in 2010 with tripartisan support, have welcomed the legislation.

Information on the proposed ban can be found at www.plasticbags.tas.gov.au

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Rev up for life in fast lane

Jason and John White will be aiming to defend their Targa Tasmania crown this year.

IT is one of motorsport's great challenges.

Each year professionals, weekend racers and car enthusiasts come from far and wide to test themselves and their machines on Tasmania's roads, and they leave saying Targa Tasmania, the state's beauty and our road system are a remarkable combination.

Held every year since 1992, Targa Tasmania took up where the European tours of yesteryear left off Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Coup des Alpes and Tour de Course.

Targa Tasmania is now the world's premier touring tarmac rally, and this year about 210 cars, each with a driver and navigator, will tackle the 42 stages from one end of the state to the other.

This year's event is the 22nd instalment of the five-day, 600km rally that starts in Launceston on Wednesday and finishes in Hobart on Sunday.

The field will gather at Symmons Plains tomorrow for final scrutineering, then converge on George Town on Tuesday for the traditional Prologue, a 5km blast through the streets to seed the field from slowest to fastest.

After the Prologue, the first-day action on Wednesday will be in the North, with stages at Sheffield, Mt Roland, Nook, Paloona, Moriarty and Merseylea.

Day two takes the field to the East Coast and North-East, starting at Rossarden and heading through stages at Elephant Pass, Pyengana, Weldborough Pass, Moorina, Legerwood and The Sideling, before finishing with the traditional Longford street stage.

The field on day three heads for Strahan on the West Coast via stages at Mole Creek, Cethana, a new stage south of Penguin named Isandula, Castra, Oldina, Hellyer Gorge, Plimsoll and Rinadeena.

The day four course is a loop that includes Burnie and the testing Reece Dam, Pieman and Murchison (Hellyer Gorge in reverse), Mt Black and Rosebery stages.

Day five is the charge from Queenstown to Hobart, and includes the Mt Arrowsmith stage, winding Tarraleah stage, with a lunch-stop at Bothwell where the public can view the cars, before stages at Woodsdale and Grasstree Hill, and the gala finish at Wrest Point Casino from 3pm.

Where to see Targa

ROAD closures for Targa Tasmania (first car expected one hour after road closure time)

PROLOGUE

Tuesday: Kayena 10.29am; Prologue 11am.

LEG ONE

Wednesday: Deloraine 7.40; High Plains 8.02; Sheffield 8.51; Nook 9.13; Moriarty 9.34; Merseylea 9.52; Railton lunch; Paloona 11.04; Mt Roland 11.42.

LEG TWO

Thursday: Rossarden 7.18; Elephant Pass 8.17; St Helens lunch; Pyengana 10.19; Weldborough 10.30; Moorina 10.45; Ledgerwood 11.16; The Sideling 11.58; Longford 1.06pm.

LEG THREE

Friday: Mole Creek 7.30am; Cethana 7.57; Castra 8.32; Ulverstone lunch; Isandula 10.01; Oldina 11.01; Hellyer Gorge 11.26; Plimsoll 12.24pm; Rinnadeena 1.06.

LEG FOUR

Saturday: Reece Dam 7.40am; Pieman 8.10; Murchison 8.55; Burnie lunch; Natone 10.35; Gunns Plains 11.27; Riana 12.11pm; Mt Black 12.46; Rosebery 1.13.

LEG FIVE

Sunday: Strahan 6.43am; Queenstown 7.17; Mt Arrowsmith 7.39; Tarraleah 8.54; Bothwell lunch; Woodsdale noon; Grasstree Hill 12.59pm.

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Rail property price boost

A LIGHT rail link for Hobart's northern suburbs could increase local property values between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, research suggests.

Research led by Curtin University's James McIntosh analyses the effect of passenger rail on other cities, using Perth and Melbourne as case studies.

A survey of academic work on property values in rail catchment areas indicates that proximity to rail services generally increases property values across residential and commercial sales.

It also increases leases between 5 and 25 per cent.

Hobart-based Mr McIntosh found the case study of Perth provided compelling evidence of the well-established link between rail access and increased land value.

A link between Hobart and Glenorchy using the existing railway line has support from all sides of politics, however, funding for the $100 million project has not been committed.

Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Adrian Kelly said the northern suburbs were one of Hobart's biggest growth areas.

Mr Kelly said public transport was a big consideration for the increasing number of city professionals buying homes in the northern suburbs.

"I have no doubt that light rail would improve property values. It certainly would make those suburbs more attractive for people to buy in, it would make them far more desirable places to live," Mr Kelly said.

While Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim is advocating a Hobart-Glenorchy link, a light rail lobby group wants it to go all the way to Brighton.

A report on Hobart's urban growth corridor through the northern suburbs by Hobart architects Paul Johnston and Wesley Hindmarch also predicts the benefits that come with light rail.

The researchers from transFORM urban design say the light rail project would increase the number of potential sites for affordable housing development and create a string of high-value communities and economic activity along the length of the rail corridor.

Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston said the new research added to the mounting body of expert opinion in support of light rail.

Independent Denison MP Andrew Wilkie said the research showing the potential benefits of light rail was exciting and further strengthened the case for light rail link to be funded.

"Around the world vibrant commercial and urban hubs have sprung up in rail catchment areas with all the jobs and economic opportunities that increased commercial and social activity brings," Mr Wilkie said.

"Hobart could experience real urban renewal as a result of the light rail project."

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Rev up for life in fast lane

Jason and John White will be aiming to defend their Targa Tasmania crown this year.

IT is one of motorsport's great challenges.

Each year professionals, weekend racers and car enthusiasts come from far and wide to test themselves and their machines on Tasmania's roads, and they leave saying Targa Tasmania, the state's beauty and our road system are a remarkable combination.

Held every year since 1992, Targa Tasmania took up where the European tours of yesteryear left off Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Coup des Alpes and Tour de Course.

Targa Tasmania is now the world's premier touring tarmac rally, and this year about 210 cars, each with a driver and navigator, will tackle the 42 stages from one end of the state to the other.

This year's event is the 22nd instalment of the five-day, 600km rally that starts in Launceston on Wednesday and finishes in Hobart on Sunday.

The field will gather at Symmons Plains tomorrow for final scrutineering, then converge on George Town on Tuesday for the traditional Prologue, a 5km blast through the streets to seed the field from slowest to fastest.

After the Prologue, the first-day action on Wednesday will be in the North, with stages at Sheffield, Mt Roland, Nook, Paloona, Moriarty and Merseylea.

Day two takes the field to the East Coast and North-East, starting at Rossarden and heading through stages at Elephant Pass, Pyengana, Weldborough Pass, Moorina, Legerwood and The Sideling, before finishing with the traditional Longford street stage.

The field on day three heads for Strahan on the West Coast via stages at Mole Creek, Cethana, a new stage south of Penguin named Isandula, Castra, Oldina, Hellyer Gorge, Plimsoll and Rinadeena.

The day four course is a loop that includes Burnie and the testing Reece Dam, Pieman and Murchison (Hellyer Gorge in reverse), Mt Black and Rosebery stages.

Day five is the charge from Queenstown to Hobart, and includes the Mt Arrowsmith stage, winding Tarraleah stage, with a lunch-stop at Bothwell where the public can view the cars, before stages at Woodsdale and Grasstree Hill, and the gala finish at Wrest Point Casino from 3pm.

Where to see Targa

ROAD closures for Targa Tasmania (first car expected one hour after road closure time)

PROLOGUE

Tuesday: Kayena 10.29am; Prologue 11am.

LEG ONE

Wednesday: Deloraine 7.40; High Plains 8.02; Sheffield 8.51; Nook 9.13; Moriarty 9.34; Merseylea 9.52; Railton lunch; Paloona 11.04; Mt Roland 11.42.

LEG TWO

Thursday: Rossarden 7.18; Elephant Pass 8.17; St Helens lunch; Pyengana 10.19; Weldborough 10.30; Moorina 10.45; Ledgerwood 11.16; The Sideling 11.58; Longford 1.06pm.

LEG THREE

Friday: Mole Creek 7.30am; Cethana 7.57; Castra 8.32; Ulverstone lunch; Isandula 10.01; Oldina 11.01; Hellyer Gorge 11.26; Plimsoll 12.24pm; Rinnadeena 1.06.

LEG FOUR

Saturday: Reece Dam 7.40am; Pieman 8.10; Murchison 8.55; Burnie lunch; Natone 10.35; Gunns Plains 11.27; Riana 12.11pm; Mt Black 12.46; Rosebery 1.13.

LEG FIVE

Sunday: Strahan 6.43am; Queenstown 7.17; Mt Arrowsmith 7.39; Tarraleah 8.54; Bothwell lunch; Woodsdale noon; Grasstree Hill 12.59pm.

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Rail property price boost

A LIGHT rail link for Hobart's northern suburbs could increase local property values between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, research suggests.

Research led by Curtin University's James McIntosh analyses the effect of passenger rail on other cities, using Perth and Melbourne as case studies.

A survey of academic work on property values in rail catchment areas indicates that proximity to rail services generally increases property values across residential and commercial sales.

It also increases leases between 5 and 25 per cent.

Hobart-based Mr McIntosh found the case study of Perth provided compelling evidence of the well-established link between rail access and increased land value.

A link between Hobart and Glenorchy using the existing railway line has support from all sides of politics, however, funding for the $100 million project has not been committed.

Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Adrian Kelly said the northern suburbs were one of Hobart's biggest growth areas.

Mr Kelly said public transport was a big consideration for the increasing number of city professionals buying homes in the northern suburbs.

"I have no doubt that light rail would improve property values. It certainly would make those suburbs more attractive for people to buy in, it would make them far more desirable places to live," Mr Kelly said.

While Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim is advocating a Hobart-Glenorchy link, a light rail lobby group wants it to go all the way to Brighton.

A report on Hobart's urban growth corridor through the northern suburbs by Hobart architects Paul Johnston and Wesley Hindmarch also predicts the benefits that come with light rail.

The researchers from transFORM urban design say the light rail project would increase the number of potential sites for affordable housing development and create a string of high-value communities and economic activity along the length of the rail corridor.

Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston said the new research added to the mounting body of expert opinion in support of light rail.

Independent Denison MP Andrew Wilkie said the research showing the potential benefits of light rail was exciting and further strengthened the case for light rail link to be funded.

"Around the world vibrant commercial and urban hubs have sprung up in rail catchment areas with all the jobs and economic opportunities that increased commercial and social activity brings," Mr Wilkie said.

"Hobart could experience real urban renewal as a result of the light rail project."

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