Motorists urged to drive to the conditions ahead of long weekend
Thursday, 5 June 2025 – 12:08 pm.
Tasmania Police is urging motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions this coming long weekend.
With more traffic expected on the roads across the weekend, motorists can expect to also see police.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker from Western Road Policing Services said police across the state would be conducting a range of high-visibility and covert patrols.
“With winter now upon us, and rain forecast for the long weekend, motorists should ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, drive to the conditions and allow extra time for their journeys,” he said.
“We will have a presence in both urban and rural areas, where the potential combination of unfamiliar roads, unpredictable weather and increased traffic can pose significant risks.
“We want everyone to enjoy their long weekend, but we also want them to return home safely. That is why police and the community need to continue to work together – road safety is a joint effort.
“Please, plan your journey, take regular breaks, and avoid any risky behaviours. We are asking people to consistently make good decisions, whether you are driving a vehicle, bicycle, or attempting to walk across a road. Bad choices can lead to serious consequences.”
Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving behaviour should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444, or 000 in case of an emergency.
CFA is off to a fast and meaningful start in this year’s Emergency Services Blood Drive, holding strong in second place for national plasma donations and currently sitting in third place overall.
Crucially, a significant amount of CFA’s 60 donations so far (equating to 180 lives saved) have been O-Positive blood types, one of the most urgently needed red cell supply levels, according to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Running from 1 June to 31 August, the Lifeblood campaign sees emergency service organisations across Australia compete to give the highest number of blood and plasma donations, all while helping save lives.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Rohan Luke joined representatives from other emergency services at an event at the Melbourne Donor Centre on 1 June to launch the blood drive.
“One donation can save up to three lives,” Rohan said.
“33,000 blood and plasma donations are needed across Australia every week to meet demand. Right now, levels of O negative and O positive blood have dropped to their lowest point since 2023.
“If you’ve been thinking about donating, now’s the time.”
Bittern Fire Brigade member Jackie Crow, who has the universal O-Negative blood type, has donated blood and plasma more than 125 times and is once again rolling up her sleeves for the cause.
“I first started donating because a friend asked me to come along and give it a go and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Jackie said.
While each donation is extremely important, in February of this year Jackie was contacted for an extremely important donation, which stands out from the rest
“The blood bank called and said my blood was urgently needed for a specific patient, not just a general supply,” she said.
“I went in the very next day. I don’t know who it went to, but just knowing it was going straight to someone in desperate need was incredibly special.”
Jackie encourages others to get involved, especially those who may be feeling uncertain.
“It’s quick, it’s safe, and it’s so rewarding.”
In 2024, more than 14,000 donations were collected as part of the Emergency Services Blood Drive nationally, with almost one third coming from Victoria.
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As thousands of people descend on Hobart for the Dark Mofo festival, Tasmania Police is urging pedestrians and motorists to prioritise safety, particularly during the darker hours of the event.
Tasmania’s popular Dark Mofo winter festival is back with a full program of events in Hobart including the opening night of the Winter Feast, on Castray Esplanade, on Thursday.
There will be road closures and traffic disruptions across the Hobart CBD during the two-week festival, with further information available at www.darkmofo.net.au/info/road-closures
While it is an amazing time of the year for locals, and our interstate and international visitors, police are urging everyone to enjoy it safely and responsibly.
“Pedestrians are among our most vulnerable road users, especially during busy events such as Dark Mofo,” Hobart Police Inspector John Toohey said.
“This year already, three pedestrians have died on Tasmanian roads, with a further 14 seriously injured.
“We’re asking everyone to stay alert, avoid distractions such as phones or headphones, and only cross at designated crossings.
“With many festival events taking place at night and in low-light conditions, we’re hoping to see responsible behaviour, that is, people looking out for each other, obeying traffic signals and being visible in the dark.”
Supporting Inspector Toohey, Tasmania Police State Road Safety Co-ordinator Inspector Justin Lawson urged motorists and pedestrians to take extra care in Hobart’s city and waterfront precincts.
“Our message is, we are just as excited as you that Dark Mofo is back,” Inspector Lawson said.
“And while savouring all that is on offer in our city, please be mindful of each other’s safety on our streets and footpaths.
“With thousands anticipated to move between different venues, there will be a marked increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
“Please cross the road only when safe and if driving, be alert to festival-goers on foot.”
CAPTION: Tasmania Police officers (from left) Constable Scott Hill, Constable Erin McNamara, Constable Tess Allanby and Constable Aaron Eaton urge locals and visitors to Hobart to enjoy the Dark Mofo festival safely. Picture: Tasmania Police
Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme Amendment C263gben, which applies to Marong, has come into effect following Minister for Planning approval.
Amendment C263gben implements the Marong Township Structure Plan 2020 (re-adopted in 2024), the Marong Flood Study 2018 (North Central Catchment Authority) and the Marong Heritage Citations (Minerva Heritage).
The land affected is within and adjacent to the township of Marong and the amendment changes zones and overlays to land in the Marong township. Specifically, the amendment:
Rezones land within the Marong township from Township Zone to Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 3 and Mixed-use Zone Schedule 3
Expands Commercial 1 Zoning and updates floor area maximums
Applies new overlays to guide development, character and bushfire protection
Applies the Heritage Overlay to 8 new places including statements of significance for each
Implements the Marong Flood Study, along with new Local Flood Development Plan by introducing the Floodway Overlay and the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
Identifies new residential growth areas for future rezoning to accommodate a population of approximately 8,000 people
The amendment process and approval were in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The Amendment was considered by an independent panel, and recommendations were supported by Council. The Minister for Planning has the final say and made some changes to the amendment before approving it.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf welcomed the approval of the Amendment as an important step for guiding Marong’s future development.
“Marong is expected to grow over the next 25 years with an estimated population of 8,000 people and this Planning Scheme Amendment implements the Marong Township Structure Plan. The Amendment supports creating a compact, well-planned township with a vibrant town centre,” Cr Metcalf said.
“The completion of this Amendment allows the consideration of new rezoning applications in the Marong growth areas and complements the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct project.”
The approved Amendment C263gben is the first in a series of planning scheme amendments to support the future growth of Marong. Other projects currently underway include:
The preparation of a Shared Infrastructure Contributions Plan for Marong
Planning for the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct by the Victorian Planning Authority
Planning for the Marong Western Freight Corridor by the Department of Transport and Planning – Transport
The rezoning of the residential growth precincts in accordance with the City’s Private Planning Scheme Amendment Policy
The Marong Township Structure Plan was originally adopted in September 2020. The Amendment C263gben was exhibited for six weeks from May to July 2023, and the independent planning panel hearing was held in February 2024. Council adopted C263gben in June 2024. The Minister for Planning approved with changes and gazetted the Amendment on May 29, 2025.
UniSA’s Enterprise Hub is a state-of-the-art enterprise and innovation facility within an original heritage building
Architects, builders, academics and regulators are calling for a major shift in Australia’s building policies, claiming these are based on a narrow view of environmental costs and false economies that downplay the real costs of new builds – and the environment is paying the price.
The consortium comprises representatives across Australia’s property sector, including developers, architects, industry bodies, environmental and heritage consultants, government and researchers. The group gathered last month at Hames Sharley architects’ Adelaide office, to work through the challenges holding back the sustainable re-use of buildings and agree on a framework to progress building adaptation for housing and other purposes.
A total of 24 recommendations were developed, including:
Adapting and reusing existing buildings must be the first option before considering redevelopment – across housing, community and commercial functions.
Government should lead by adapting building policies to prioritise sufficiency and adaptive building reuse, and should lead through its own accommodation choices.
A database of vacant precincts, buildings and land must be established to identify opportunities for adaptive reuse and redirect investment.
Building policy must change to recognise embodied carbon saved by reuse rather than demolition and rebuild – and better balance this with the energy efficiencies of new builds.
Economic incentives such as tax relief and reduced charges are vital to recognise the environmental savings from reusing existing buildings and make adaptive reuse viable.
The University of South Australia co-hosted the workshop in partnership with Hames Sharley, also involving the City of Adelaide and University of Adelaide.
He points out that “while new builds are lauded for their energy efficiencies, large amounts of carbon are ‘embodied’ in their materials and construction while they consume excessive water and other natural resources. This can be greatly reduced by adapting vacant and underutilised existing buildings, which otherwise go to waste.”
“The building industry represents around a third of global carbon emissions, yet we’re seeing more and bigger builds by default. This seems far out of step with EU countries such as France and Denmark, where attention is focussed on making better use of existing space.
“It’s therefore critical that our policy settings prioritise building retention, retrofit and reuse ‑ instead of new builds.”
Hames Sharley Associate Director and Head of its National Sustainability Forum, Yaara Plaves, says bringing key stakeholders together is vital to address cross-sector issues.
“In any field where complex, systemic challenges resist straightforward solutions, siloed expertise creates blind spots and biases,” Plaves says. “Addressing these through a community of practice model that brings participants together cultivates learning and mutual trust – and is essential to bring about sustainable, demonstratable solutions.”
Supported by the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation (AFRAN), the workshop involved sharing learnings from France’s innovative policies and initiatives, including the concept of ‘Sufficiency’ which is now enshrined in French Energy Law and reflected in more holistic policies on carbon mitigation.
The recommendations will be shared with South Australian policy makers, and a bilateral partnership with France explored through a proposed Adelaide University-based ‘Australian Sufficiency Lab’, which would become a national centre for sufficiency and adaptive reuse across multiple sectors.
The recommendations were developed by representatives from the below entities:
ARUP
Future Urban
RPS Engineering
ARCHI
Greenaway Consulting
Renewal SA
Australian Institute of Architects
Heritage South Australia
Sarah Constructions
Built Australia
Hames Sharley
SA Dept of Infrastructure & Transport
City of Adelaide
Lendlease
State Planning Commission
Cohen Group
Les Moore Projects
University of Adelaide
FORUM
Pelligra
University of South Australia
Participant quotes:
Professor Jane Burry, Chair, Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Adelaide: “The session provided a great springboard to go forward.”
Les Moore, Les Moore Projects: “With the right ‘can-do’ mindset we can achieve extraordinary outcomes.”
About Hames Sharley:
Hames Sharley is a research-led design practice with a large community of designers and collaborators. We identify knowledge gaps and, through our practice-based research, we hunt for answers to influence a better built environment. Our research projects are broad and include areas such as understanding the impact of noise in ICU and designing for sensory comfort in workplace settings.
About UniSA:
The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.
Teen faces multiple charges of motor vehicle stealing
Thursday, 5 June 2025 – 9:56 am.
Detectives investigating a series of thefts, reckless driving and property damage across Tasmania’s south have this week charged a 15-year-old boy with multiple offences, including 12 counts of stealing a motor vehicle.
Members of Bridgewater CIB arrested and charged the teenager on Tuesday (June 3) following a search of his home at Herdsmans Cove.
During the search of the property, police allege a number of electronic devices were found and which appear to show the boy had used them to post illegal activities online and to social media.
Following police interview, the boy has been charged with multiple offences including motor vehicle stealing, hooning, driving while not the holder of a driver’s licence, unlawfully setting fire to property, and stealing.
Police investigations continue.
Anyone who may have information about illegal youth activities involving theft and the unlawful use of motor vehicles should contact police on 131 444 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Devonport man charged after police seize illegal firearms, taser
Thursday, 5 June 2025 – 9:40 am.
A man has been charged after police seized three illegal firearms and a taser during a targeted search at a West Ulverstone residence yesterday.
During the search, members of Taskforce Scelus located and seized three gel blasters, the taser, drug paraphernalia, and a quantity of cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
A 46 year old West Ulverstone man was arrested and has since been charged with multiple firearms offences, and minor drug-related offences.
He was detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court today.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
A recent operation led by the ATO’s Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) has resulted in jail time for a Victorian woman.
Paolo Esmaquel implemented an elaborate scheme to obtain fraudulent GST refunds by assuming the identities of 3 different individuals.
One of the assumed identities was registered by Ms Esmaquel as a tax practitioner with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). To do this, she submitted forged documents to the TPB that falsely claimed she completed the required tertiary education to become a tax agent and forged a declaration from a chartered accountant.
Following this, she set up a tax agent profile on ATO Online Services and linked several taxpayers to her account. Ms Esmaquel then lodged 10 fraudulent business activity statements on behalf of these taxpayers without their knowledge or consent.
An investigation by the ATO and the Tax Practitioners Board uncovered the identity fraud and cancelled the fake tax agent registration.
Read more about the recent prosecution in our media release.
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