New Abt Railway head named

THE chairman of West Coast Tourism has been selected as the new general manager of the Abt Railway.

Phil Vickers, who is also executive chairman of West Coast Heritage Ltd and a West Coast councillor, was announced as the Abt's new chief by Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne today.

"This is a significant milestone in securing a bright, viable future for this important piece of Australian history," Mr O'Byrne said.

"Mr Vickers will oversee the railway operations including coordination of infrastructure works and rolling stock repairs.

"Importantly he will also oversee preparations for passenger operations for the summer tourist season, when we expect the railway to be operational again."

Mr O'Byrne said Mr Vickers was chosen because of his administrative and tourism experience.

"Mr Vickers' substantial administrative capabilities will complement the existing Railway operational workers," he said.

Mr O'Byrne said tenders for track repairs are expected to be called in the next few weeks with tenders for bridge works at the Strahan end a short time later.

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Ex-bikie gang boss jailed

A FORMER state president of the Rebels motorcycle gang was sentenced to three years' jail for trafficking in $504,000 worth of methylamphetamine.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt said it was a large-scale drug trafficking operation not often seen in Tasmania.

But Colin David Picard, 67, avoided a $117,000 pecuniary penalty after declaring himself bankrupt last month.

Picard, of Ravenswood, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking 36 ounces of methylamphetamine between November 1, 2010 and July 5, 2011.

His arrest came after a police operation -- Operation Dorothy -- in which police used telephone intercept powers and twice intercepted Picard delivering drugs near Perth on the Midland Highway.

In one raid police found $10,200 in cash in a Mr Picard's gold Falcon sedan.

Crown prosecutor John Ransom told the court that the organised crime operation operated in the South, North and North-West of Tasmania.

He said a Launceston man Barry William Gleeson brought in large supplies of the drug from Melbourne.

Gleeson, who was jailed last year, sold the methylamphetamine to Picard.

"Picard was president of the Launceston chapter of the Rebels and he onsold to Rebels around the state and to members of the Outlaws motorcycle club," Mr Ransom said.

He said Picard had bought the methylamphetamine and it was delivered to his Ravenswood home.

Some of the drug was sold from the Rebels clubhouse in Merino St, Launceston.

The court heard that Rebels members spoke in code on the telephone with one message saying: "painting inside today, please send down help".

Defence counsel Adrian Hall told Justice Estcourt that Picard had declared himself bankrupt in June and received the aged pension.

He said Picard had never served time in jail and had formerly operated a cartage business.

He said Picard bought the drug for $4000 an ounce and sold it for $5000 an ounce.

Gleeson gave Picard one ounce free for every eight ounces Picard bought, meaning Picard made $13,000 for every nine ounces he sold.

Justice Estcourt set a non-parole period of 18 months.

He said Picard's bankruptcy meant there was little point in making the penalty order.

The seized $10,200 was forfeited by Picard.

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Power rises 'thing of the past'

A LOWER price for power in Tasmania is due to be set within weeks.

Deputy Premier and Energy Minister Bryan Green today said the Economic Regulator's report had confirmed the state's electricity prices would fall from January next year.

The new prices would be set by the Economic Regulator after the State Government recommended tariffs for approval over the next fortnight, he said in a statement.

"While we can't say definitively what the decrease will be until then, we are confident that it will be greater than our original prediction last month (of between 1 and 2 per cent)," Mr Green said.

"Electricity prices around Australia are continuing to go up but we are bucking the trend in Tasmania.

"Recent electricity prices rises experienced in Tasmania will soon be a thing of the past."

Mr Green said the State Government was on target to introduce retail competition in Tasmania's electricity market from January 1, which would put more downward pressure on prices.

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Chopper joins Cygnet search

A GROUND and air search is being conducted near Cygnet for a man who went missing from his Deep Bay home overnight.

Police said David Ellis Wood, 66, was reported missing by his wife early this morning but he might have left his home in southern Tasmania last night.

Authorities hold "serious concerns" for his welfare, with 10 police officers, 10 local volunteers and the Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter called out for the search.

Senior Sergeant Marcus Pearce, of Huonville Police, said officers arrived at the scene about 9am today and the search had been escalating throughout the day.

"We will reassess it later in the day," he said.

It is believed the missing man has chronic health and mobility issues.

Mr Wood is described as having a stocky build, with grey hair and brown eyes.

He is believed to be wearing grey Crocs, grey track pants, a long-sleeved green top, and a black and red vest.

Anyone with information on Mr Wood's whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444.

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Top cop welcomes new talent

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine says the 25 recruits now in training were chosen from a field of more than 900 hopefuls.

AN OLYMPIC cycling gold medallist is among Tasmania Police's latest intake of recruits.

The recruit course – the first since 2011 – is being inducted today at the Rokeby Academy.

The nine women and 16 men, aged between 19 and 51, will be put to the test over the next 28 weeks in subjects including conflict resolution, road policing, investigations and operational skills.

The rookie officers are due to graduate in February 2014, with another recruit course scheduled to start in October.

Police Commissioner Darren Hine said the 25 recruits were chosen from a field of more than 900 applicants.

"Our newest recruits come from a broad range of backgrounds and occupations and bring with them many unique life skills and experiences which will stand them in good stead for their new careers as police officers and serving the Tasmanian community," he said in a statement.

Among them is a former motivational speaker, as well as a statistician, a nurse and an Olympic cycling gold medallist.

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury …

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Guilty plea over death crash

A MAN accused of fleeing the scene of a deadly car crash in February 2012 did not abandon his mate, the Launceston Magistrates Court has heard.

Tristan Gilbert, 32, today pleaded guilty to causing death by negligent driving, plus a range of charges including resisting a police officer, escape, burglary, stealing and minor firearms and drugs charges.

Defence counsel Evan Hughes said after crashing a turbocharged 1998 Nissan Skyline into a tree on the East Tamar Highway, having lost control at an estimated 118km/h, Gilbert had helped to lift unconscious Troy Lee Dolbey out of the car, fearing that the car would catch fire.

Mr Hughes said Mr Dolbey had regained consciousness outside the car and Gilbert had asked him if he needed to go to hospital.

The court heard that an ambulance had been called and that Gilbert only fled the scene when he heard the ambulance siren. Mr Hughes said Gilbert could have done little more to help Mr Dolbey, who later died in hospital from internal injuries.

Mr Hughes said Gilbert suffered from bipolar disorder and associated anxiety, which was a factor in his ongoing amphetamine addiction.

He said Gilbert had received death threats following the crash and he had fled the state with his partner and two children aged under five, taking only what they could carry. Mr Hughes said Gilbert had abandoned his home near Launceston.

"The home which he built with his own hands was burned down as an act of revenge," Mr Hughes said.

He said other property, including a jet ski and woodworking tools, had been stolen from him.

The court heard that after Gilbert had been extradited back from Queensland in April this year, he had been assaulted in custody, taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital to receive six stitches, and had attempted to get away from a guard, who was attempting to hand cuff him upon leaving the hospital.

Mr Hughes said Gilbert, originally from NSW, was an accomplished woodworker whose work had been exhibited widely around Australia and the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship.

He said Gilbert was also a talented snow skier and sportsman.

He said Gilbert had not been familiar with the car which he crashed on February 6, 2012, a powerful car in an unroadworthy condition with two bald tyres, which he said had been a primary contributor to the crash on wet roads.

Magistrate Tim Hill ordered Gilbert to remain in custody while an assessment was made on his eligibility for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, a process that could delay sentencing for longer than a month.

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Fast-track ER plan

TASMANIAN hospitals will get new fast-track emergency units under a $22 million Federal Government funding deal expected to be announced today.

Overcrowding of emergency patients at hospitals in Hobart and Launceston will be reduced by the introduction of new Tasmanian-designed emergency units, federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek told the Sunday Tasmanian.

The agreement between the federal and Tasmanian governments means the units will reduce avoidable admissions to take the pressure off emergency departments in the state's two main hospitals.

"This innovative solution will assist in reducing unnecessary admissions to hospital wards," Ms Plibersek said. "It will also help to reduce emergency department overcrowding."

The Royal Hobart Hospital has been allocated $10.3 million for an emergency medical unit and psychiatric nurses for its emergency department.

The State Government will add $533,000 to that.

The Launceston General Hospital will get $11.6 million for a GP and hospital department referral-based service and pre-admission treatment of chronic condition patients.

The LGH also will expand its emergency department fast-track service.

National Health Performance Authority figures last week showed the Royal Hobart was Australia's worst major regional hospital at getting patients operated on inside the recommended 30 days. The LGH was the second-worst.

The new units were welcomed by state Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne.

"Launceston's emergency department fast-track service has already achieved significant reductions in waiting and treatment times for low-urgency patients," she said.

"The Royal's new unit will have a broadly skilled team and will be separate from the emergency department. It will look after patients who need short-term evaluation, investigation and treatment."

The agreement is part of the Federal Government's $325 million Tasmanian health assistance package, which will fund the new clinics until 2016.

The Australian Greens yesterday committed to an additional $664 million in Medicare funding.

Spokesman Richard Di Natale said the Greens espoused universal healthcare.

"Labor cut over $600 million in Medicare funding in the last Budget," he said.

emma.hope@news.com.au

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Poster girl for devil cause

This cheeky little Tasmanian devil joey is set to entertain at the Healesville wildlife sanctuary in Victoria. Pictures: DAVID CAIRD

SHE may grow up to be a predator, but right now she is one cheeky little devil.

The playful yet-to-be-named joey bucked her species' reputation and turned on the charm for the cameras at her first photo shoot last week.

She is one of three Tasmanian devil joeys who will go on display at the Healesville Sanctuary, near Melbourne, next month.

At four months old, she is growing fast and can guzzle up to five bottles of milk a day.

She loves a hug, likes to play games with her keepers and will soon be joined by her brother and sister, who are still being fed by mum.

Almost 100 joeys have been bred at the sanctuary since 2006 as part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil conservation program.

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