Fire fury hits Tassie

A burnt-out Kombi van at Glen Huon yesterday. Pictures: LUKE BOWDEN

EMERGENCY crews battled fires through the night after 60 blazes broke out across the state yesterday.

Temperatures up to 34C in the South and strong winds fanned the flames in an early warning of the summer fire season ahead.

Several shacks and vehicles in the Glen Huon area were destroyed.

Some residents evacuated areas affected by the worst fires, including Glen Huon and Geeveston in the South and Glenlusk near Collinsvale, north-west of Hobart.

For some residents the fire brought back memories of past catastrophic bushfires.

Tom Healy said he watched the fire nervously from his family's Judbury farm.

"I think this will push people [to prepare], especially after the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria," Mr Healy said.

"We have a lot of stock on the property and I've had family members ringing me because they're worried. I've had the whipper snipper out because of all the grass but it's so hot.

"It's been such a wet winter and now it's really sunny and the grass gets really long and dangerous."

Late last night the Glenlusk fire was causing the most concern for the Tasmania Fire Service.

Roads were closed as a small fire suddenly took hold, sending embers, smoke and ash across Collinsvale and surrounds.

Fire authorities warned of the dangers of spot fires that could threaten homes ahead of the fire front.

The biggest fire, in the Central Plateau, was expected to threaten shack communities at Jonah Bay and Arthurs Lake overnight and today. The blaze covered 1000ha and was burning on both sides of the Poatina Rd between Great Lake and Arthurs Lake.

Incident controller Chris Arthur from Parks and Wildlife Service said about 35 people were working on the fire, which had raced through the low heather, and workers would be relieved by three crews who would patrol the fire overnight.

About seven firefighters suffered burns as they battled a serious blaze near Forcett, east of Hobart.

More than 200 firefighters were at work statewide.

TFS officer Michael Goldsmith said the number of fires reflected the high winds and temperatures.

"We're hoping the weather will work in our favour overnight but the winds are still quite high in certain areas," Mr Goldsmith said last night.

Mr Goldsmith said crews were quickly redirected to the Collinsvale-Glenlusk fire, which was reported just before 5pm but soon came close to homes.

"We haven't advised anyone to evacuate but some people have taken that option if they weren't prepared."

Yesterday was one of the hottest November days on record, reaching 33.7C and not dropping below 22.3.

About 5900 households were without power in the Huon area for about 20 minutes last night.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Plateau blaze still raging

A fire burning close to properties today at Forcett, in Tasmania's south-east. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A BUSHFIRE is still burning out of control at Poatina, on Tasmania's Central Plateau, with other blazes across the state much closer to being contained.

Career and volunteer firefighters were today tackling fires at Forcett, in the state's south-east, Glen Huon and Geeveston, in the Huon Valley, Glenlusk, near Collinsvale, Musselroe Bay, in the north-east, and Bruny Island in the south.

Strong winds overnight and earlier today whipped the flames into life, causing particular danger to residents at Glenlusk, Geeveston and Forcett.

Tonight no properties were considered to be in immediate danger but residents were urged to remain alert.

Some fires appear to have been deliberately lit and are under investigation.

Tasmania Fire Service spokesman Andrew McGuinness said the strong north-westerly and westerly winds created very difficult fire-fighting conditions but no properties had been lost in any of the bushfires late today, only makeshift dwellings and sheds at Glen Huon.

"We had had in excess of 30 crews out there today, that's well over 100 firefighters -- about 90 per cent of them are volunteers -- plus 30 to-40 people in management teams statewide," he said.

"We've seen a great effort out there from the firefighters, with many teams working in very difficult terrain, and it's great that they have been able to prevent further losses."

The state's biggest blaze, at Poatina, has burnt more than 6000ha since it was first reported on Thursday.

The area is only sparsely populated and all residents and campers have already been evacuated.

"That one's likely to burn for a week unless we get considerable rain on Monday or Tuesday," Mr McGuinness said.

"It's unlikely to be contained in the next two or three days because it's difficult to contain it or lock it in.

"It's burning in tall timber country, so it's hard to get machinery in there, and it's likely to burn for a while in the large area."

Windy conditions eased late today, leading the TFS to lower alert levels for most areas.

Backburning operations are continuing into the night to help contain the fires by morning.

Residents at Glenlusk, Forcett, Glen Huon, Geeveston, Poatina and Bruny Island have been advised to keep an eye on conditions and check frequently for updates.

Tomorrow's weather is expected to be cooler and wind is expected to ease, making conditions less difficult.

Rain has been forecast in coming days, which will also help to bring the fires under control.

For the latest updates, click here or listen to ABC Local Radio.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rape accused granted bail

A HOBART taxi driver accused of raping a schoolgirl passenger has been granted bail.

Rajdeep Singh, 30, of Claremont, appeared in the Magistrates' Court in Hobart this morning.

He is yet to enter a plea on charges of rape, aggravated sexual assault and three counts of indecent assault.

Magistrate Catherine Rheinberger granted bail after a hearing this morning.

She ordered Singh reappear in court on December 20.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather fans Tassie fires

A recent controlled burn at Forcett, where a bushfire has broken out today.

A LARGE bushfire burning out of control in Tasmania's Central Highlands is threatening several small communities and the region's power supply.

Residents of Jonah Bay, Cramps Bay and the surrounds of Arthurs Lake, where many of the dwellings are holiday shacks, are being told to activate their bushfire plans and consider leaving the area.

The major road in the region has been closed and people outside the area have been told to stay away.

An electricity feeder line is likely to be affected, the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) says, with power outages possible for communities around Great Lake.

The blaze, which started yesterday afternoon, has burnt out more than 600ha and a water-bombing helicopter has been used to fight it, local media reported.

"The fire is progressing, it's being pushed by the weather conditions that we've got," TFS spokesman Chris Arthur said.

"There's a total fire ban in the south of the state but we're being affected by that weather as well."

Smaller fires are burning in the Huon Valley and at Geeveston, both south of Hobart, and residents have been asked to check their bushfire plans.

Another fire was reported late today at Glenlusk, near Collinsvale, in the state's south.

The TFS said the fire may affect the communities of Fawkner Rd, Glenlusk, and Collinsvale Rd between Lime Kiln and Glenlusk.

A smaller blaze had also been reported at Forcett, near Sorell.

Embers and ash have been falling on those areas, which are also shrouded by smoke.

Temperatures have soared into the 30s in southern Tasmania after Hobart tossed and turned through its warmest November night -- 22C -- since 1937.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ricky announces retirement

RICKY Ponting has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

The former Australian captain has underperformed so far this series and confirmed the third Test against South Africa in Perth will be his last.

Ponting will equal Steve Waugh's mark of 168 Test matches in this match, the most in the history of Australian cricket.

The entire Australian squad turned up for the press conference today in Perth where Ponting made his announcement.

Turning 38 next month, Ponting is the highest Australian run-scorer of all time and has been described as the greatest Australian batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

The Tasmanian has 13,336 Test runs to his name. Only Indian Sachin Tendulkar has scored more in the history of cricket.

Ponting suggested after the second Test in Adelaide, where he made four and 16, that the end might be near, and his fate was now in the hands of selectors.

He will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition for the remainder of the summer.

Ponting told his teammates of his decision to quit Test cricket this morning and announced it publicly in a media conference at the WACA.

"Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough," he said.

"My passion and love for the game hasn't changed.

"At the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results.

"In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of batsmen and players in the Australian team.

"I'm glad I have got the opportunity to finish on my terms."

Ponting said he would in no way be distracted for the series-deciding Test against South Africa where the world No.1 ranking is up for grabs.

"I want this win more than any other game I have played in."

Ponting was also quick to announce his news on social media.

"Thing that struck home was even though my preparation and feeling was good I was falling at the big moments" he said on Twitter

"I've given cricket my all."

Australia captain Michael Clarke said the announcement gave his side extra incentive to win the third Test.

"It will only give us more inspiration," said an emotional Clarke as he fought back tears.

"He has been a great player for a long time.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland paid tribute to Ponting's contribution to Australian cricket.

"Ricky has had an extraordinary career and has made an extraordinary contribution, including through the example he has set for other elite players and through the excitement he has given fans, young and old," Sutherland said.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Upset at Ouse closure

PARENTS of Ouse Primary School students have voted to close the historic school at the end of this year.

But many remain upset, saying some of those who voted are sending their children to other schools next year anyway.

It is believed the vote was very close.

School association secretary Narelle Davie has three children at the school, with a fourth also planning to attend.

"I'm very unhappy about it. My family has been involved in the school for generations," said Mrs Davie, whose family lives on a farm outside Ouse.

"It's also disappointing that the broader community was not involved and they didn't have the opportunity to show their support."

Mrs Davie said the meetings were only for parents, not other community members

Parents had been told that only 21 children were expected to be at the school next year.

This would mean the school qualified for just 1.8 teachers, leaving them with just one big class from kinder to grade 6 for two days a week.

It presently has just 32 students. The school, first opened in 1847, was a combined primary and secondary school until 2009.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Community key to Hydro plan

KING Island residents will decide whether the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere will be built on their island.

Renewable energy business Hydro Tasmania has proposed a 600-megawatt wind farm comprising 200 turbines for the Bass Strait isle.

The proposal has been deemed technically, economically and environmentally viable and has been endorsed by Tasmania's three major political parties.

However, Hydro Tasmania chair David Crean said it would not go ahead without the support of the majority of King Island's 1600 residents.

"This project will only proceed to full feasibility if the majority of King Islanders are in favour," Mr Crean said today.

The farm would generate about 2400 gigawatt hours of renewable energy for the national market, enough to supply about 240,000 homes, according to a statement released by Hydro Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government said the output would be sold into the Victorian electricity grid via an underwater cable across Bass Strait.

It would account for more than five per cent of Australia's renewable energy target and reduce the amount of carbon entering the atmosphere by around 1.9 million tonnes a year, the Hydro Tasmania statement said.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said it would be the biggest single infrastructure project in the state's history.

"This project would provide hundreds of millions of dollars a year in extra revenue to the state," Ms Giddings said, adding it was likely to require significant upgrades to King Island's road and port infrastructure, which would create more jobs locally.

Consultations will be carried out over the next three months.

If the project proceeds, it is expected to create up to 500 jobs during the two-year construction phase and 10-20 jobs when the wind farm is operational.

Opposition energy spokesman Matthew Groom said the Liberal Party strongly supported the development.

"Tasmania needs to grab this opportunity with both hands."

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sea Quest back at home

SOLO sailor Tobias Fahey arrived back in Hobart yesterday afternoon and, despite the glorious weather, it was clear he wanted to be elsewhere.

Family and friends were at the Derwent Sailing Squadron to welcome him home but the atmosphere was very different to a week before, when the 25-year-old set out on his voyage, aiming to sail around the world alone faster than any other Australian.

After making great progress, he had to turn back on Saturday, when faulty wiring damaged the batteries on his yacht Sea Quest beyond repair, affecting essential safety and communications equipment, including the radar and the automatic identification system (AIS) which helped prevent collisions with other vessels.

Pressing on would not have been the safe thing to do, Fahey said yesterday.

"You have to be able to maintain watch at all times and to continue sailing on my own without this equipment would be a danger to myself and other boats," he said.

It was too early to say whether he would set out again in the next few days or abandon the attempt for this year.

"I will go home, talk to a few people and assess my options," he said.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heart wound fatal, court told

AN Eggs and Bacon Bay man died from a stab wound to the heart during a drunken fight at his home, the Supreme Court in Hobart has heard.

Stuart Barry Russell, 40, has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted arson over the death of his friend Brett Williams, 46, at the southern Tasmanian town on December 16 last year.

Director of Public Prosecution Tim Ellis, SC, told the court Mr Russell and his 18-year-old girlfriend were in the process of moving to Mr Williams' property at the time.

After a long day of drinking, a fight broke out between the two men and Mr Russell stabbed Mr Williams several times with a small knife, Mr Ellis told the jury.

The fatal wound penetrated 7cm into Mr Williams' chest, piercing his heart twice. He died soon after.

Mr Russell was seen holding a knife and a hammer and said "I've stabbed him twice", Mr Ellis said.

Later in the evening, Mr Russell attempted unsuccessfully to set fire to the corpse as it lay on the kitchen floor, Mr Ellis told the court.

Mr Williams' charred body was found by a neighbour the next morning.

The prosecutor said Mr Russell went fishing the following morning and told investigating police police he knew nothing about what had happened to Mr Williams.

"It is, we say, a lie. It's a lie," Mr Ellis said.

"The fact he told a lie about that and also that he sought to set fire to the body of Mr Williams and the house can be used by you as evidence of his guilt of the crimes.

"He lied because the truth would incriminate him."

The jury was warned some of the evidence in the case would be gruesome and that key witnesses were intoxicated by alcohol on the night of the killing.

"Alcohol plays a big part in the events that transpired," Mr Ellis said.

The trial, before Justice Peter Evans, is expected to last two weeks.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Devil-proof fence plan floated

VAN Diemen's Land Company is looking to build a devil-proof fence around its massive Woolnorth property to protect one of the last pockets of healthy Tasmanian devils in the state.

The company is in the process of converting beef pasture, clearing bush and increasing its dairy herd as part of a $180 million expansion.

Conservationists have raised concerns that endangered devils would be put at further risk as native vegetation was cleared to make more room for dairy pasture. Woolnorth, on the state's North-West Coast, is home about 600 devils.

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust has criticised the company for electing to clear almost 2000ha of bush in line with its expansion plans, saying loss of habitat will cause devil and quoll numbers to drop.

But VDL chief executive Michael Guerin said Woolnorth boasted some of the biggest and healthiest devils in Tasmania and he was confident they could continue to co-exist with farming.

"We have been working for more than five years with the Save the Devil Program, including the possible construction of a devil-proof fence to prevent the spread of the facial tumour disease to Woolnorth," Mr Guerin said.

The devil tumour disease has now afflicted about 85 per cent of Tasmania's wild devil population.

VDL said 4297ha, or 70 per cent, of the property's native vegetation would be formally and informally protected under its new environmental plan.

When the expansion is complete, Woolnorth will boast 23 dairy farms. Each will stock about 1100 cows.

"Tasmania can be a leader in the development of the dairy industry in Australia in terms of volume produced, animal welfare and innovation," Mr Guerin said.

VDL today released its draft application to seek permission from both the state and federal governments to expand the Woolnorth farm and make it a 100 per cent dairy operation.

The approval is expected to take about six months.

Mr Guerin said the company was still in talks with domestic and international equity partners to fund the expansion.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Freight debate begins

Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne addressing the new team charged with developing a long-term freight strategy for Tasmania.

THE team tasked with tackling Tasmania's freight woes met for the first time in Hobart this morning.

The meeting was closed to the media but Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne said the forum would allow cross-industry experts to help determine the best way forward to solve Tasmanian exporters' shipping difficulties.

Local exporters have described the Bass Strait as the most expensive passage of water in the world, despite the $140 million annual Federal Government subsidy designed to reduce costs.

"Good freight logistics help protect and create Tasmanian jobs," Mr O'Byrne said.

"These experienced group members understand freight.

"They understand the complexities -- and the urgency -- because these challenges directly affect their daily lives."

Mr O'Byrne said the team would report its findings directly to the state and federal governments.

"It'll provide expert logistics and supply chain advice and help us complete a long-term Tasmanian freight strategy," he said.

Mr O'Byrne said team's first job was to identify key freight issues and put them in context.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Guilty plea over armed robbery

A MAN held up a video store with a loaded shotgun because his partner was in a coma from a spider bite and he needed the money to support her children, the Supreme Court has heard.

Damien William Harris, 36, pleaded guilty to armed robbery, possessing a loaded firearm without a licence and possessing a shortened firearm.

Crown prosecutor Jack Shapiro told the court Harris held up the Video City store at New Town on October 7.

Harris entered the store with a sawn-off shotgun and demanded staff empty the contents of the cash registers into a plastic bag.

He escaped with just more than $1100 in cash but was caught after a short car chase with police.

Officers found the money in his underwear.

Defence lawyer Kim Baumeler told the court her client's partner has been bitten by a spider shortly before the offence.

"He was finding it very difficult to look after her three children on his [Centrelink] allowance. By the time he had rent taken out, he had $180 a fortnight to survive on," she told the court.

Ms Baumeler said Harris had sat by the river for the day trying to come up with ways of making money.

She said he was remorseful for the crime.

Justice David Porter will sentence Harris on December 5.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman's body found

POLICE are investigating the death of a woman after her body was found in Devonport yesterday.

Police and paramedics were called to a vehicle parked in Ronald St, Devonport just before 3am yesterday and a 24-year-old woman was located on the nature strip nearby.

The cause of death is unknown at this time and a post-mortem will be conducted.

Police said the woman had no significant injuries and no violent crime was suspected.

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Circumnavigation bid aborted

Tobias Fahey, seen here on his way past the Iron Pot at the start of his record attempt, has has to abort the trip after his batteries became damaged. Picture: Jimmy Emms and Tasmanian Air Adventures

TASMANIAN solo yachtsman Tobias Fahey has been forced to abandon his around-the-world voyage and is limping back to Hobart.

He set sail on Wednesday on his attempt to circumnavigate the world in under 180 days but yesterday encountered a battery problem that sank his plans.

"I have been having charging issues since I left and they have progressively gotten worse to the point that my batteries will no longer hold charge for a sufficient amount of time," he said.

Faulty wiring in the alternator regulator caused the batteries on board to receive an excess charge, which overheated them and damaged them beyond repair.

The batteries, which are charged by the boat's motor or wind generators, supply power for several essential onboard systems, including communications, radar and the automatic identification systems (AIS) needed to avoid collisions with other vessels at sea.

Without sufficient electricity to power these systems and no way of repairing the damage at sea, Fahey, 25 from Dodges Ferry, made the heartbreaking decision to turn back to Hobart just three days into his voyage.

"I still have this strong urge to go on but it's not worth the risk, it's unsafe," he told the Sunday Tasmanian by satellite phone last night.

"I've spoken to my family and they all said not to risk going on -- the world's not going anywhere, it'll still be there later."

Fahey said the westerly winds and swell that had carried him so swiftly towards New Zealand were now working against him as his yacht, Sea Quest, battled into the wind and waves for a much slower and rougher journey home.

"I was basically surfing down the waves all the way until now but now I'm slamming into them," he said. Fahey was closer to New Zealand than Tasmania when he turned back and expects the return trip to take four days.

Fahey's goal was to complete his voyage in under 180 days to break the Australian record for sailing solo around the world.

Before turning back, he was on track to do it in around 135 days.

He said the repairs would cost thousands of dollars and he was unsure when he would be able to make another attempt at the record, but is determined to try again.

"I'll just have to take a look at that once I'm back in Hobart," he said.

"The past few days have been some of the most satisfying and rewarding days of my life."

17.12 | 0 komentar | Read More