ID rules for goats among New Year law changes in Tasmania

Sheep, goats and bobby calves will be among the first to feel the effect of a suite of legislative changes coming into effect in Tasmania with the new year. Here’s five other things on the way.

Goats will be needing eID tags from January 1, 2025.

Sheep, goats and bobby calves will among the first to feel the effect of a suite of legislative changes coming into effect in Tasmania with the new year.

The new Biosecurity Regulations are in effect from January 1, 2025, requiring electronic identification devices for all sheep and goats and bobby calves.

All bobby calves sent directly for processing from their property of birth will for the first time be required to be individually identified with an eID tag.

Electronic identification devices are an ear tag or a leg band that contains radio frequency identification technology embedded with a National Livestock Identification System number.

NLIS tag.

NLIS is Australia’s system for the identification and traceability of cattle, sheep and goats intended to enhance biosecurity and food safety.

More than 850,000 sheep tags were sold in the first three months of the government-subsidised scheme.

Engineered stone ban

The ban on engineered stone comes into full effect in new year.

Tasmania banned the manufacture, supply, processing, or installation of engineered stone from July 30.

But during a six-month transition period work on engineered stone was allowed if a contract was entered into before 31 December 2023 and the work is finished by 31 December 2024.

The ban was implemented after workers became ill with silicosis after exposure to dust.

Amendments to the Historic Cultural Heritage Act also come into effect from January 1.

The government says the changes will ensure greater protection of state listed historic built heritage places and make it easier for heritage property owners and the development sector to engage with heritage regulations.

The bill allows for retrospective development applications for unauthorised works and halves the period for objections to entries on the Tasmanian Heritage register among other changes.

Political lobby code changes delayed

Plans to launch a new code of conduct for political lobbyists in Tasmania were to have come into effect on January 1, but have been pushed back six months.

Project milestones

Several major projects are expected to pass significant milestones in the year ahead.

The Bridgewater Bridge is expected to open, and work on the construction of the Sorell Causeway duplication and the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium are expected to begin.

Container deposit scheme on the way

Tasmania’s long awaited “Recycle Rewards” container deposit scheme is scheduled to commence in the middle of 2025.

Residents will receive a 10-cent refund for each eligible drink container returned to designated collection points.

Tap and go ticketing

And the long-promised introduction of a common ticketing system for public transport is expected some time during the calendar year, allowing Tasmanians to pay for their bus or ferry trip with a simple tap of their bank card, phone or watch.

The state’s half-priced public transport fares scheme will run until June, unless extended.