Tasmania breaking news: Two people face multiple charges after police raid at Ravenswood
A police raid in northern Tasmania has allegedly found drugs, illegal firearms and stolen motorcycles. The charges.
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Police raid allegedly uncovers loaded shotgun under couch
11.30am: Multiple charges have been laid after police allegedly found a loaded sawn-off shotgun under a couch during a raid at Ravenswood.
Extensive police resources were involved in the raid of a Ravenswood property on Thursday, officers say — including specialist police.
Police said two people were charged after officers allegedly seized illegal firearms, a taser, methylamphetamine, two stolen motorcycles and stolen tools during the search.
“During the search, police located a loaded sawn-off shotgun concealed under a coach,” police said in a statement.
“Two other firearms were found and seized as well as drugs, ammunition and stolen property.”
A 30-year-old Ravenswood man will face the Launceston Magistrates Court on charges of multiple firearms offences, minor drug-related offences, motor vehicle stealing, and unlawful possession of property.
While a 25-year-old Ravenswood woman will also face court on Friday, charged with multiple firearms offences, motor vehicle stealing, and unlawful possession of property.
Passenger in serious crash dies, two more in hospital
January 17, 8am: Tragedy has struck following a serious two vehicle crash on the Bass Highway at Ulverstone.
A 68-year-old Penguin man, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, has died despite the efforts of paramedics to treat his serious injuries at the scene, police confirmed.
The incident occurred just before midday on Thursday with emergency services swarming to the incident following reports of two vehicles crashing.
Police said a driver and another passenger were also injured and taken to the North-West Regional Hospital.
The highway was closed for several hours following the crash.
Police say they continue to investigate and will prepare a report for the coroner.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones,” police said.
Fire crews contain grass fire at Carlton River
2pm: An intersection at the coastal spot of Carlton River has been shut while a grass fire burns.
Emergency services are at the Fulham Rd property and police say fire fighters are in attendance and were managing the incident, which was considered to be under control.
Police have shut the intersection at Reardons Rd until the fire is extinguished.
Officers ask motorists to seek an alternative route while no traffic is permitted to pass that location towards Connellys Marsh until further notice.
It’s not the only incident keeping emergency services busy on Thursday afternoon.
A number of people were injured and being treated at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on the Bass Highway near Ulverstone.
It is unclear whether anyone has been relocated to hospital at this stage, nor the number of those hurt.
The incident has diverted traffic at South Rd and westbound traffic is being diverted at Knights Rd.
The crash occurred a little after midday.
Passenger seriously injured after truck rollover on highway
January 16, 8am: The passenger of a truck that rolled over on Wednesday afternoon has been flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital to be treated for suspected spinal injuries.
The incident involving a light Hino truck on the East Tamar Highway, Long Reach — south of George Town — occurred about 3.30pm.
Officers suspect the driver of the truck was travelling south on the East Tamar Highway when it lost control, resulting in the vehicle rolling onto its side and coming to rest adjacent to the north bound lanes.
Police closed the road for about three hours to allow crash investigators to examine the scene.
Anyone who may have seen the small white Hino tray track travelling at the time is urged to contact police.
15 drivers caught speeding through roadworks in hour crackdown
January 15, 1pm: A targeted police crackdown on speeding through roadworks operation has resulted in over a dozen infringements, officers say.
Police said they conducted the operation on the Tasman Highway, Mornington for an hour from 8pm — targeting excessive speed in a zone with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h.
Officers report detecting 15 drivers speeding and say two were driving more than 40km/h above the limit.
Police said both those drivers were issued a significant fine and have had their licence disqualified for up to four months.
The drivers were allegedly driving at 80 and 89km/h in the reduced 40km/h zone.
Road Policing Services Acting Inspector Penny Reardon said it was “incredibly disappointing” drivers were risking their life and those of other road users and road workers.
“Police will continue to target road work areas to reduce dangerous driving behaviour and keep road workers safe,” she said.
Woman found dead beside northern Tas roadside
4.20pm: Police are investigating the circumstances behind a fatality in the state’s north where a car is believed to have rolled on top of its female driver.
Tasmanian Police stated that emergency services were called to the intersection of Victoria and Reibey Streets in Ulverstone at around 6am on Monday where a woman was located unresponsive beside a Ford territory vehicle.
Police said the woman was provided medical assistance but sadly died at the scene.
Initial inquiries by police indicate the woman had stopped and exited her vehicle when it began to roll.
Police are investigating the cause and preparing a report for the Coroner, however police state there are “no suspicious circumstances”.
Anyone who saw the vehicle in the area around the time is asked to contact Ulverstone Police on 131 444 – quote reference OR763989.
Police also expressed their thoughts with the woman’s family and loved ones.
Man charged after driving through skate park where children were playing
11.24am: Police have charged an East Coast man after he drove dangerously over a St Helens skate park where children were playing.
A 30-year-old Shorewell Park man was charged with hooning and drink driving offences allegedly committed on Saturday night and will appear in St Helens Magistrates Court next month.
Police state the man was allegedly hooning in a silver Ford Falcon in the St Helens area around 7 to 8pm on Saturday when he is alleged to have driven dangerously over the skate park at the St Helens wharf and Tully and Yong Streets.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The man has been charged with a range of offences including drink driving, hooning, and evading police.
Police allege the man returned a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.211, over four times the legal limit of 0.05.
The vehicle has been clamped by police.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has information or vision of the silver Ford Falcon in the area around the time.
Information can be provided to St Helens Police on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 – quote reference ESCAD 000376-11012025.
Northern Tasmanian man charged with 44 offences
11.11am: A planned search operation by Tasmania Police has resulted in a northern Tasmanian being charged with more than 40 offences.
Police officers from the Northern Criminal Investigation Division searched a Prospect residence and South Launceston address on Friday, with police stating they recovered a “significant amount of stolen property” approximately worth $170,000.
A 21-year-old Prospect man was charged with more than 44 offences, including 21 burglary and 23 stealing offences.
Police alleged that the burglary and stealing offences were committed in the north and west of Tasmanian between August and December 2024.
The man was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Monday.
Minor flood warning for St Pauls River
11.02am: Tasmanian SES have issued a minor flood warning for St Pauls River and surrounding towns on Monday morning.
SES advise communities in Royal George, Avoca and surrounds to monitor conditions for the next 12 to 24 hours.
During this time, SES state that flooding in nearby streams and rivers is likely to occur, as well as flooding in low-lying properties and dangerous driving conditions or dangers to livestock, property and equipment.
If you live in the alert area and/or near Royal George, Avoca and surrounds SES advises:
If you have a flood emergency plan, check it now.
Monitor conditions and prepare now to go to a safer place if conditions become more dangerous.
For SES Flood Warning updates, visit TasALERT.com.
Three drivers charged in road safety blitz in northwest
10.50am: Three drivers have been charged during a road safety blitz over the weekend, with one driver driving 30km/h over the speed limit and with twice the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
Tasmania Police Latrobe officers firstly charged a 44-year-old West Ulverstone man on Friday with multiple traffic offences after a call by a member of the public.
The driver was allegedly towing a car that was towing a boat on the Bass Highway, Latrobe.
His charges include using an unregistered motor vehicle, contravening conditions of a notice, driving while disqualified, using a motor vehicle without premium cover, and using an unregistered trailer.
Police said the West Ulverstone man also allegedly tested positive on an oral fluid test for illicit drugs. He is due to appear at the Burnie Court of Petty Sessions on April 29.
Tasmania Police also charged a 59-year-old man from East Devonport on Friday with driving while disqualified after he was pulled over on Railton Road, Latrobe.
He allegedly tested positive on an oral fluid test for illicit drugs and was charged with failing to appear in court on a previous charge.
He will appear at the Devonport Court of Petty Sessions on April 28.
A 21-year-old man from Devonport was detected driving at 130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Railton Road, Dulverton on Saturday by police.
Police said the man, who was a disqualified driver, allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.10 and faces charges including driving while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit, driving while disqualified and exceeding the speed limit.
He will appear at the Devonport Court of Petty Sessions on April 28.
Four other drivers also tested positive on an oral fluid tests for illicit drugs over the weekend.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker expressed concern over the reckless behaviour displayed by some road users.
“It is disappointing that some individuals continue to disregard the law and endanger other road users,” he said.
“Some incidents are particularly baffling, such as the case of a disqualified driver being towed while towing a boat.
“We will continue to focus on detecting and removing unsafe motorists from the roads.”
If you witness dangerous driving, report to police on 131 444 or triple-0 (000) in an emergency.
Taroona house and vegetation fire left $400K in damage
January 13, 8.03am: Firefighting crews from Taroona and Hobart have responded to a fire on the Channel Highway overnight on Sunday, with damage estimated at approximately $400,000.
Emergency services were called to a structure fire on the Channel Highway at Taroona, with crews still in attendance on Monday morning.
The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said crews arrived to find an unoccupied house had been “totally destroyed and a vegetation fire of approximately 1ha in size”.
TFS said that current indications are that the structure fire spread to the vegetation and estimated damage at approximately $400,000.
An investigation will commence later on Monday morning.
Road closures, power outages from Sunday storms
3.47pm: Hundreds of people are without power across Tasmania and police have begun road closures as rain hammers parts of the state on Sunday.
Around 183 homes are affected in Eaglehawk Neck after a pole fire cut power to the southern Tasmanian township.
A further 10 people in Campania, 12 people in Woolnorth, 6 people in Nietta and an unconfirmed number in Kings Meadows, Norwood and Youngtown are without power, with TasNetworks listing the restoration time as “to be confirmed”.
Tasmania Police have also shut roads due to flooding.
Upper Esk Road between Mathinna Cross Road and Gunns Road in Mathinna has been closed until further notice due to water over the road.
Mathinna Plains Road between Upper Esk Road and Mount Albert Road has also been closed to cars except 4WD due to water over the road.
The minor flood warning for the South Esk River in Fingal, Avoca, Ormly, Hanleth, Llewellyn and surrounds remains in place, with residents urged by SES and other emergency services to remain vigilant and to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
To keep up to date with conditions, head to the TasALERT website.
More towns added to weather warnings
1.32pm: A severe thunderstorm and heavy rainfall warning has also been issued for the towns in the Huon Valley and for Hobart’s northern suburbs.
At 1.20pm, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) stated severe thunderstorms in the area were “likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding”.
The BOM forecasts the thunderstorms to affect Richmond, Franklin, Huonville, Campania, Old and Old Beach.
To keep up to date with conditions, head to the TasALERT website.
Flood advice warning for South Esk River
1.16pm: After issuing a thunderstorm and flash flooding warning, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has also announced a minor flood warning for the South Esk River.
The BOM early on Sunday said the town of Fingal was forecast to receive up to 80mm of rain, which would effect nearby streams and rivers like the South Esk.
Residents in Fingal, Avoca, Ormly, Hanleth, Llewellyn and surrounds are advised to monitor conditions in the next 24 hours, with flooding in low-lying properties and streams and rivers likely.
The SES are advising affected communities to check their flood emergency plan now, monitor conditions and prepare to go to a safe place if conditions worsen.
To keep up to date with conditions, head to the TasALERT website.
Severe thunderstorm and flash flooding warning for Tasmania’s south
January 12, 12.20pm: A severe thunderstorm and heavy rainfall warning has been issued by the state’s emergency services, bringing to an end the weekend’s low-intensity heatwave.
On Sunday, the Tasmanian government emergency information source TasALERT stated that a severe thunderstorm moving south over Hobart suburbs was likely to “produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding”.
The storm was detected near Glenorchy and Old Beach and is forecasted to affect Hobart and Lindisfarne by 12.30pm and Kingston and Taroona by 1pm.
Other areas impacted by the Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rain are the Upper Derwent Valley, East Coast, Midlands and parts of South East, North East, Central Plateau and Western Forecast Districts.
SES Tasmania Acting Assistant Director Cheryl Ames said the East Coast, Launceston and Hobart areas would have the most widespread thunderstorm activity.
“We are advising everyone to be prepared and stay informed as conditions change,” she said.
“Over the past couple of days, heavy rainfall has been observed with the Upper Esk River receiving 40 to 50mm, Fingal 35 to 45mm and Monameta (Mathinna Road) receiving 34.6mm within one hour.
“The weather system is expected to bring heavy rain and potential hail, easing late tonight.
“If you have to drive during heavy rain, please remember advice from Tasmania Police to be safe on the roads, slow down, put your headlights on, and never drive through flood waters.”
The State Emergency Service advised that people should:
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.
For more information, head to the BOM’s website.
Man allegedly assaults helpers after crashing car
January 10: Residents nearby an early hours car crash were allegedly assaulted while coming to the aid of the driver.
A single vehicle crash on the Huon Highway at Glendevie, located about 30km southwest of Huonville, was first reported to emergency services about 12.30am on Thursday morning.
Police said the driver of the Hyundai Excel allegedly became aggressive towards nearby residents who came to his aid.
It’s believed the 33-year-old from Dover followed the residents into their home, made threats and armed himself with items found inside the home.
Officer said they arrived at the scene a short time later to arrest the man.
He faces multiple charges including disqualified driving, drink driving, aggravated burglary and criminal assault.
Anyone who say a blue Hyundai Excel on the Huon Highway between Dover and Glendevie around that time is urged to contact police.
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