Ousted former mayor back on council after recount
A familiar face with more than two decades of local government experience is back on the Burnie City Council table following Steve Kons’ sudden resignation two weeks ago.
North West Coast
City’s ‘centrepiece’ $60m sports precinct closer to reality
A major $60m sports precinct must pass one more hurdle before construction begins. See the pictures.
Newly elected councillor ‘fighting for King Island’s right to party’
A self-confessed Beastie Boys fan, King Island’s newest councillor says he will fight to improve business and tourism within his community. What he had to say >>
How authorities are working to keep drugs off our streets
While some are manufactured in Tasmania, most illicit drugs like meth are smuggled into Tasmania via air, sea and mail. What the public can do to help the crackdown on drug trafficking.
Subdivision slated next to knocked back $40m shopping centre
A large subdivision is set to be built in a major Tasmanian city as the future of a nearby shopping centre is in serious doubt.
Dillon Goss to run 13,000km lap around Tasmania
He’s already a marathon winner, but a 20-year-old is about to run much further to raise awareness and funds for mental health charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
Burnie appoints new GM to replace Simon Overland
The North-West council turned to one of its neighbours to find the man to replace former general manager Simon Overland. Here’s what the new GM had to say.
Family-owned seafood restaurant voted best in Australia
A family-run restaurant at Stanley famed for its fresh crayfish can now boast the title of being the best seafood restaurant in the country, winning the title at the national National Seafood Industry Council Awards.
Tassie town punches above weight to win gold
Tasmania has claimed a podium finish in each category of the National Top Tourism Town Awards this year with one unlikely town taking home to top gong. Find out where >>
$1.4bn vision for pair of major Tasmanian hospitals revealed
For the next 20 years, an estimated $1.4bn will be spent on major upgrades at two of Tasmania’s hospitals. Find out what’s planned.
Former King Island Mayor enters pleas on child abuse charges
A former King Island Mayor and councillor will return to the Burnie Supreme Court later in the year after entering pleas to child abuse material charges in Hobart.
Interstate crews arrive to help restore power to more than 8600
Interstate crews have arrived to help restore power to more than 86000 customers as TasNetworks and Telstra for a lack of preparation ahead of the forecast wild weather.
THAT’LL DO PIG: Farmed-turned-feral pigs wreak havoc in Tasmania
Feral pigs are going hog wild in Tasmania, according to a land owner, who says their numbers are on the rise. Here’s why these pesky porkers are a problem.
$40m retail precinct rejected: ‘doesn’t pass the pub test’
‘We have failed you’: The CEO behind a proposed major shopping centre on the $40m proposal being knocked back. Here’s why.
‘Unbelievable’: Roof flies off into the backyard of Tassie home
Five people and their pets were inside their home when the roof flew off and into their backyard during the night. Here’s what happened.
‘Everyone’s holding their breath’: Northern Tasmania on high alert
Several rivers in the north have burst their banks and many are without power as the government warns that the worst of the wild weather is still yet to come. Why there’s cause for relief so far.
Liberals announce candidate hoping to replace Pearce
The man tasked with keeping the North-West seat of Braddon in federal Liberal hands for the third time in a row has been unveiled following incumbent Gavin Pearce’s retirement.
Tributes flow for Flinders Island man, hit by police vehicle
A Flinders Island man hit and killed earlier in the month is being remembered by his family as a “fierce protector of family and friends”.
Tasracing reveals it has not found a home for harness racing in the North-West
Tasracing says it ‘appreciates the disappointment of harness stakeholders’ after the organisation revealed it had not found a home to hold events in the North-West.
Train v tractor crash sparks new rail crossing appeal
‘Engagement, education and stronger enforcement’ is what the government says is the best way to improve railway crossing safety after police alleged a tractor driver was at fault in a collision with a train.
Named: Police posing as teen girl and mum nab pedophile
Sending explicit messages and pictures to who he thought was a 14-year-old girl and her mother has resulted in a 54-year-old man who was already on the sex-offender register going back to prison.
EPA hands down decision on $400m+ mining development
The owners of a West Coast mine want to transition from open-cut to underground operations. Find out what the EPA said in its assessment of the proposed development.
Drunk and drugged-up driver jailed for wild highway police chase
‘A bad case of dangerous driving’ is how a Supreme Court judge described a police chase that ended after a man’s car spun out of control and smashed into a guard rail.
Adam Brooks changes tax charge pleas after court was evacuated
The matter involving disgraced ex-Liberal politician Adam Brooks was delayed after the court had to be evacuated during proceedings. Find out what happened in court.
Could tiny homes be the next big thing for Tasmanian tourism?
Tourism and tiny home advocates believe that the newly emerging style of short-term accommodation could help ease the state’s housing issues and be more environmentally sustainable.
Where to nab a bargain block in Tasmania
Burnie, Interlaken, York Town, Zeehan – these are the suburbs all home to some of the cheapest blocks of lands in the state. See what makes the list.
Town’s welcome ‘chips’ sculpture edges closer to completion
“I would have preferred that 1000 local people drew their own design on an A4 piece of paper.” Those are the words of a Burnie Councillor as construction on a divisive and controversial $1.25m gateway project enters its final stages.
Domes and distilleries: Ambitious plan for new farm stay
Ever wanted to stay on a pepperberry farm? Well, that could soon happen following a NSW developer unveiling plans to turn a vacant block into a working farm and visitor accommodation.
Mixed fortunes for King Island farmers despite feed influx
After the whole of King Island was ravaged by drought conditions, it appears that pockets of the small community are faring better than others.
Sharing horrific child exploitation material lands man in jail
A man who produced child exploitation material and distributed it, and other content he had, to others around the world has been condemned by a judge for his “very serious offending”.
Planned seismic surveying put on hold following community backlash
Australia’s offshore energy regulator has delayed issuing a permit for seismic blasting in a stretch of water between North-West Tasmania and South-East Victoria.
Behemoth budget blowout leaves flood-prone town with no levee
It’s back to the drawing board for a North-West council after its flood mitigation project ballooned in cost. Here’s how much more it would cost.
Tassie teen lands role in new Mad Max film
In 2012, five-year-old Spencer Connelly suffered severe burns in a car fire. Now, the Devonport teenager is part of a Hollywood film.
Illicit drug use while under house arrest puts offender behind bars
A Supreme Court judge has blasted a man for his drug use while serving a home detention order for slashing a woman’s face with a knife during a street fight last year.
Hiscutt won’t recontest Leg Co seat, but someone close to her will have a crack
The same day Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt announced she won’t recontest, someone close to her has revealed he’ll run as an independent.
Man jailed for firing at police during Burnie shooting
More than two years after he was shot and subdued by police during a drug-induced mayhem, Caine Jeremiah Dunning has learned his fate. His sentence.
‘Train drivers are actually getting desensitised to it’
The number of near misses and incidents at level train crossings is so high Tasmanian train drivers are becoming ‘desensitised’ to it. What the union would like to see change.
Former bikie attacked then-partner in front of daughters
The victim of an assault by the father of her children at the headquarters of an outlaw motorcycle club five years ago has provided a letter of support for her attacker. From court >>
Where to find Tasmania’s riskiest roads
Whether it be a dramatic four car pileup or a minor fender bender, here’s Tasmania’s top 10 most dangerous roads for crashes. Check out the interactive map >>
‘Unfortunate’: penguins trapped in wire fence at beach development
Burnie Council has described footage from local residents as “extremely unfortunate” after penguins caught in development fencing emerges online. Watch the video.
Young man paid in ice for King Island trafficking
A young Burnie man was paid in ice to take the drug to King Island for distribution, but when he arrived, police were waiting for him. Here’s what happened when he went to court.
Tasmania’s most crowded classrooms revealed in new data
Tasmania’s most crowded classrooms have been revealed, with new data showing which schools appear to be most in need of additional teachers. SEARCH YOUR SCHOOL
Beekeepers buzzing following eradication of pest
For more than a year, the small hive beetle has threatened Tasmania’s honey industry, but now the threat is over.
Two youths escape from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre
Two young people escaped from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Friday afternoon.
‘We are both hustlers’: One half of drug trafficking duo sentenced
A pair of drug traffickers made $130,000 in four months before police intervened. Now, one member of the duo has learned his fate.
Negotiations stall as dairy workers fight for huge pay rise
Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) maintenance workers in Burnie, who are paid 21 per cent less than their mainland counterparts, have gone on strike, but negotiations are at a standstill.
Clubhouse leader: Tasmanian golf course knocks off top dog
For decades Royal Melbourne’s West course has been the envy of all ranking as the best golfing spot in Australia — until now. A young, remote Tasmanian golf course has snatched the crown.
Meet the Tasmanian butcher ready to carve up MasterChef
MasterChef contestant Josh Perry says before entering the show making sweets was “his biggest fear”. Now the Smithton butcher believes he conquered his fear.
‘Totally unexpected’: How snapper took incredible photo
Amateur photographer Greg Close was testing out his new kayak when an eagle flew over his shoulder and provided him with a stunning picture. CHECK OUT THE PHOTO >>
No deal for Garland as Premier continues to woo independents
While he described a “brief informal chat” with the Premier as positive, independent MP Craig Garland says he understands the government does not expect a written agreement from him.
Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/north-west-coast