Four people caught cutting down a tree at proposed Westbury prison site

Police were called to the site of a proposed new prison in the state’s North after reports of people illegally cutting down a tree. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>

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Tree cut down at northern prison site

POLICE were called to the site of a proposed new prison in the state’s North on Sunday after reports of people illegally cutting down a tree.

About 8.30am, police were called to the site just outside Westbury after concerned locals reported there were four people on the restricted site cutting down a tree.

The four individuals had left before police arrived but locals gave police the car registration details.

Four people allegedly cut down a tree at the site of the proposed new prison just outside of Westbury. Picture: Supplied

Concerned Residents Opposed to the Westbury Prison Site spokesman Aaron Reader was one of the locals who approached the four individuals.

He said they could not supply proof they were meant to be on the site.

“They were trying to bluff their way out of the situation saying that had permits to be there but couldn’t show us anything,” Mr Reader said.

“Although it is crown land, all of the neighbours keep an eye on that site because we care about the area and are opposed to the new prison.”

Tasmania Police said it was investigating the incident.

Motorcycle crash closes highway

A MAN has been flown to hospital after a motorcycle crash on Tasmania’s East Coast.

Emergency services were called to the scene on the Tasman Highway, about 10km south of Swansea, about 3pm.

Police said the 19-year-old rider was reported to be conscious and would be flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in the Westpac rescue helicopter.

The helicopter needed to land on the highway to be able to access the scene, forcing the road to be closed temporarily.

The highway was reopened shortly after 5pm.

Driver’s wrong-way ride over the limit

A BURNIE man has lost his licence after he was allegedly caught driving almost five times the legal alcohol limit.

Tasmania Police said the man was stopped in Upper Burnie shortly after 3pm on Friday after he was spotted driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

The 43-year-old Burnie man allegedly returned a positive alcohol test and was taken to the Burnie police station where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.241.

The man was arrested and charged with numerous driving-related offences, including driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and exceed 0.05.

He was disqualified from driving for 24 months and bailed to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court in August.

Acting Sergeant Chelsea Becker said police were grateful for the public’s help in reporting the incident, and encouraged people to report any driving offences they observe.

It was the second serious road safety concern North-West police dealt with in as many days after arresting and charging a Wynyard man with drug offences on Thursday night.

The driver allegedly tested positive for an illicit substance about 8.40pm after being intercepted.

Police searched the man’s car for illicit substances before he allegedly attempted to flee with the keys to the vehicle.

Police allegedly found a large amount of cannabis during the search.

The man was bailed to appear before the Burnie Magistrates Court on numerous driving and drug charges, including the trafficking of a controlled substance, in August.

Dangerous driving can be reported to police on 131 444.

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Police on the scene of West Launceston motorcycle and car crash. Picture: Rosemary Murphy

Vehicle, motorbike crash

1.05pm Monday, July 12:

Police are on the scene of a crash between a vehicle and motorbike at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Vaux Street in West Launceston.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.

At this stage no serious injuries have been reported.

Strathblane crash

8.45am: Police are on the scene of a single vehicle crash on Narrows Road at Strathblane.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been dispatched to transport one person from the scene.

Photo: Google Maps

At this stage injuries are reported to be serious but non-life-threatening.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.

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Mornington crash

7.15am update: The Tasman Highway at Mornington is clear after the earlier crash.

The traffic build up may take some time to clear.

6.56am: Police are on the scene of a single vehicle rollover on the Tasman Highway, Mornington, near Tunnel Hill.

The crash is in the south bound lanes. There are no serious injuries reported.

Motorists are asked to use caution in the area while the scene is cleared,