journalists wondered whether or not he would stop into the local pie shop All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe plan the waiting press pack pondered if he might set foot inside after-all Reporter Miriam Webber was on the campaign trail with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese David BellamyMr Albanese has shown some good humour in the last days of the campaign - interrupting one TV journalist while filming to hand her a sausage sizzle while on Tuesday he popped up in the back of another's recording for a quick chat His presence and composure hint at a cautious optimism as Labor looks to the polls and sees hope of a return and every effort has been taken to make it clear the campaign is not over Mr Albanese did not venture into Banjo's Bakery at Rooke Street Mall on this occasion instead choosing to have a chat with locals outside A flock of Liberal supporters for candidate Mal Hingston who is running against Labor's Anne Urquhart encircled the Prime Minister and his supporters shuffling around to block out red corflutes with blue ones in a bemusing spectacle The stunt probably reflects the broader state of things - that right now Mr Albanese has stayed rigorously on message reciting phrases and talking points carefully hashed out ahead of time Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Florence Picture by David BellamyHe has been pressed repeatedly on his preparations for a potential minority government but has consistently recited his message that he is striving for majority not because they are hunting for slip-ups or "gotcha" moments but because they are looking for genuine engagement with their questions Staying on message carries less risk of diverting attention away from Labor's priorities and is part of the discipline Mr Albanese has brought to this campaign which has helped the party to focus and contributed to a comeback in the polls and Mr Albanese's blitz of six Australian states between Wednesday and Saturday has made that clear Standing up at an urgent care clinic to deliver a full press conference just after 7am - at which he took a question from just about every journalist - he joked to the tired pack that grumblings of a 5.30am start had reached him "I understand and welcome to my world," he said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with reporter Hamish Geale and editor Craig Thomson at the Examiner office in Launceston this is my second visit here this year," he said of the bulk billed clinic in More than 5 million people have already voted but Anthony Albanese is still determined to win the votes of those who haven't I'm not getting ahead of myself," he said on Friday most journalists feel there's not much Mr Albanese can do to surprise them Follow our election coverage including live results on Saturday from 6pm: canberratimes.com.au Miriam Webber is a federal politics and public sector reporter, with an interest in integrity, transparency and accountability in government. She has been a member of the federal political bureau since 2023, and previously worked as the city reporter. Reach her at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers We've selected the best reading for your weekend Get the latest property and development news here tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords Motorists are facing delays in Tasmania’s north-west after a “large amount” of carrots spilled across a town roundabout The unusual traffic hazard occurred at the intersection of Bass Highway and Moriarty Road in Latrobe affecting the main route between Launceston and Devonport Police remain at the scene where they have established diversions while clean-up efforts continue A police spokesperson confirmed traffic travelling west from Launceston to Devonport is currently being diverted at Gilbert Street “Motorists are asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared and obey all diversions in place,” the spokesperson said Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Pulse Tasmania is published by Pulse Media Group Pty Ltd landmark could soon have a new owner and a new life as the Devonport City Council looks to revamp the nearby mall Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe art deco Day's Building is on the market with Halliwell Property Agents for $3.2 million The Day's Building on the corner of Best and Rooke streets in Devonport Picture Halliwell.While the Rooke Street building has been let go and the owner criticised for that by civic leaders the possibilities for refurbishment are almost endless "This property has been the cornerstone of the Devonport CBD for over 75 years and has been home to many thriving businesses over the decades," the advertisement says The street level is currently filled with six popular retailers But it is the three upper floors where the potential lies with apartments for inner-city living being the most obvious development the premises hold a commanding position on the corner of the busy Rooke Street mall and Best Street in Devonport this building was the defining structure upon entering the Devonport CBD prior to the successful Living City project," the advert says "This grand old lady still holds her own and has a design offering some Art Deco style architecture this building could look stunning after a significant renovation to the exterior and interior "This property is not being offered to the market as a basic set-and-forget commercial investment based on yield the buyer for this property will be someone with vision and a desire to develop it into something grand and unique." The upper floors are unrenovated and have attracted vandals in the past, with the theft of copper piping in 2023 seeing the downstairs businesses flooded "A broad suite of things could be accommodated in this area ranging from office space accommodation," the real estate agent says the upper two floors would be ideal for premium apartments "This building is a once-in-a-generation opportunity this represents a magnificent project sure to secure both returns and legacy." I have worked as a journalist for more than 20 years and have lived and worked in the North-West for the last two decades after 13 years away in Western Australia It's really exciting today to have the Prime Minister in town and also Katy Gallagher and I'm here with representatives from Rural Health too who will be part of this wonderful announcement that we've got This city has really been revitalised and I don't want to take any thunder off the Mayor because I'm sure she'll tell you about how wonderful this city has grown over the number of years since the Living City was started some years ago And it's very exciting for me to be part of the North West coast of Tasmania to see how this has grown and how it actually brings people together the atmosphere that has been developed because of the Living City is absolutely phenomenal and it is an amazing place and it's just such a pleasure to live here and be here I'm also excited for the Circular Head region who will be getting some funding through Rural Health to assist with their provisions of health care right across Circular Head which again is a very vast area right up on the North West tip of Tasmania these announcements today and I'm really excited that everyone's come over to be here to announce these since 1986 was the first time that I jumped in a car around Tassie and visited every nook and corner here in this great state of Tasmania And what I've seen with this great city of Devonport is it grow And that's because of the hard work done by local government the hard work done by advocates for this great city and of course you do need funding from federal and state governments and local governments as well One of the things that I've always championed as someone who has concentrated for a lot of my political career in urban policy and in cities policy and in infrastructure That's how you make decisions that are based upon local input rather than bureaucrats in Canberra And there's nowhere better than that than here in Devonport where the transformation of the riverfront here has been quite extraordinary and make this such an attractive place to live in Today's announcement builds on that and I want to congratulate firstly this champion of Tasmania next to me who has been such a strong advocate for everything that is North West Tasmania as well as the coast there around Strahan and that community as well And I visited here many times and every time we have something positive to say about this community I'm absolutely delighted that you are the Labor candidate for Braddon I think the people of Braddon know that in Anne Urquhart they will have an advocate who is as strong as any advocate for any local community that I have ever seen anywhere in the country And that's why I think her call to make the decision to run for the House of Representatives rather than just stay in the Senate shows her commitment to this local community we have an amazing Finance Minister and a strong advocate And of course the election of Anne Urquhart will add to women's representation in the Federal Parliament My Government's very proud to be majority female in the Caucus and to have such strong women right throughout the Cabinet And Katy Gallagher as the Minister for Status of Women plays an important role there we were here at a citizenship ceremony I think last year and here in this very hall Alison is such a strong local advocate for this community we have Tony Burke in Launnie today announcing increased funding for the theatre Catherine King is on Flinders Island announcing the upgrade of the airport at Flinders Island And here today we're announcing funding for the next stage of city development here in Devonport as well as important community funding for health in Circular Head Can I say that this grant here of $6 million for the revitalisation of Devonport's CBD by delivering stage three of the Living City project is a great example of the Commonwealth backing local communities This has been developed from the ground up Not something that's been developed in Canberra something that Canberra is supporting and that's the appropriate way that local community-based infrastructure should be funded This will take this city to the next level and it's important that we're able to give this support we have over $600,000 to construct the Circular Head Community Health and Wellbeing Hub in Smithton That will be important funding to provide that community infrastructure to provide that health services for not for profit community based health there in that community and will make an enormous difference I will speak about as well the announcement that we've made this week to finish the National Broadband Network Labor started the NBN and we're finishing the NBN Good quality access to broadband is one way that we overcome the tyranny of distance in this great great nation of Australia that has a relatively small population spread across a vast country on both the north island and here on the south island The NBN was never just about downloading videos or movies like the former PM Tony Abbott thought It's about health services and telehealth provision It's about education services for students and for all who want to engage in learning It's about small business and large business being able to access markets regardless of where they are And about markets in Smithton or Ulverstone or Burnie or Devonport Local businesses having the same access to markets as Collins Street That is why the NBN is so important and that's why every Australian should have access to the NBN when I was the Communications Minister back more than a decade ago we were rolling out fibre to every home that was possible said it would cost $29 billion to roll out copper We know that that funding actually cost $58 billion it was a $29 billion blowout in order to deliver a second rate copper service 10,000 more homes and businesses will be connected to high speed broadband That's what real government and real action looks like making sure we deliver for Australians wherever they live We're absolutely committed to delivering for this local community And with Anne Urquhart as the Member for Braddon I'm confident that we'll be able to do that I'll hand to Katy and then we'll hear from the Mayor and then we'll take questions And it's wonderful to be here with the PM and with a local champion She's such a fierce voice for this region in Canberra but always strong and lovely to be here with the Mayor as well I think you've seen this week from the Albanese Government just what governments do in investing in local communities Up to $3 billion to make sure we finish the job of the NBN I've had people in this area talk to me about unreliable broadband dropouts not able to work their small business from here And this should all be changed under this important investment And the investment the PM spoke about in community facilities in the Living City project here and in the community wellbeing hub They invest in their communities with local solutions And part of that is making sure that we've got services and people ready to deliver those programs And we've invested in the public service to make sure that they are able to deliver important services We've opened new services here in Tasmania I was at Sorell yesterday at a service centre It was packed out with people using Services Tasmania co-located delivering services to the local community And these are important jobs for the local community And we know Peter Dutton has said he wants to cut those jobs He wants a 20 per cent cut to the public service in Tasmania And you can't cut 900 jobs and continue to deliver those important services that people rely on here in Tasmania part of the work that Anne is doing and I did with Bec White yesterday in Hobart is talking to people about the value of those jobs and the important services they provide and making sure that people realise what's at risk and how worse off you'd be under a Dutton Government grateful to have you here and just lovely to have you in our patch in Devonport May I just say that yesterday I got the most amazing phone call from Minister Catherine King in letting me know that we were successful in achieving this funding the $6 million that will sort out our North Fenton Street section where we're having the Indie School and Giant Bikes now developing their businesses and increasing what we need in the CBD But can I just say a huge thanks to this Senator being relentless and reminding what's going on in Devonport You are amazing and I do know that you've got our back And that is something that's so important for a community of our size We're the size of a suburb but we are batting above our average Everyone is so proud and wanting to know what next we're going to be doing here We are the place that people are watching and that's what I'm very And it's been a lot of hard work from a lot of people But I know and want to thank everybody that has done all the work behind the scenes We have incredible staff here at our council and I'm extremely pleased to be able to work with them because they are amazing at what they do and I am grateful every time I get to stand in this wonderful building of ours here at the Paranaple Centre If I can also say congratulations to the Circular Head community as well for achieving their funding as well And it's all about the fact that we don't have borders here There is a North West Coast community and it is very important for the community of Braddon to go forward And I think we're very lucky to have Anne putting her hand up in Braddon too JOURNALIST: DFAT is investigating reports an Australian prisoner of war was killed by Russians PRIME MINISTER: DFAT are seeking urgent clarification as to what these circumstances are I spoke with the Ukrainian Ambassador on Monday in my office We call upon Russia to immediately confirm Oscar Jenkins’ status But if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins And the Australian Government will take the strongest action possible will you boot the Russian Ambassador out of Australia and recall our Ambassador PRIME MINISTER: I've just said we will take the strongest possible action JOURNALIST: With expelling the Ambassador and recalling our own be the strongest possible response PRIME MINISTER: I said we'll determine our response when we know what the facts are I'm not someone who's competing to be Shadow Foreign Minister I'm someone who's Prime Minister of Australia and we respond to the facts I've said that we have called in the Russian Ambassador already We are seeking clarification as to whether Oscar Jenkins and we will take the strongest possible action if it is the case that any harm has been caused to him JOURNALIST: There's been quite the Federal Labor presence in the North West Coast over the past week even though an election has yet to be called Does that show the importance of the Braddon seat in the upcoming election PRIME MINISTER: It shows that everyone loves this person next to me for a start She is someone who is so respected across our Caucus Ministers and it also shows her effectiveness in being a strong advocate for this community We want to represent all Australians and I've been in a range of seats We have this regional funding going out right across the country Hasn't been done with a colour coded spreadsheet It's been done with proper assessments being made and we will later today as well I'll be in the electorate of Lyons with Rebecca who of course is an amazing candidate as well JOURNALIST: Are you hopeful a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent PRIME MINISTER: We have been calling for some time for hostages to be released We want Hamas to have no role in the future of that region and we want a ceasefire in the interests of both Israelis and those in the Occupied Palestinian Territories I think that is what overwhelmingly Australians want to see and indeed the international community wants to see as well JOURNALIST: Special Envoy Jillian Segal would like to see a full National Cabinet meeting on antisemitism I actually spoke with Jillian Segal yesterday a couple of times We convened a meeting yesterday with myself the acting Premier of NSW and the AFP Commissioner to coordinate activity We have Operation Avalite that is in place What I want is to ensure that any act of antisemitism And I want people who are responsible for these acts to be prosecuted fully because they are crime and people should be held to account with the full force of the law will you see a full National Cabinet meeting on this issue JOURNALIST: That wasn't a full National Cabinet we responded with the states that were involved And let me say that Jillian Segal was very pleased I spoke with her after the discussion that took place and she was very pleased that that had occurred JOURNALIST: New data shows rents for some Australians are unaffordable And will that be announced in the March federal budget we've had a 45 per cent increase in rental assistance under my government Two significant increases in our last two budgets - just one of the cost of living measures that we’ve put in place on Sunday Peter Dutton gave a speech after a build up over a few days where people could have anticipated some new policy But instead we saw nothing except attacks and relentless negativity as we see from the Opposition Leader But what we did see was him speak about the Australian economy needing economic surgery Now by that he means cutting wages growth off at the knees He means transplanting new taxes on Medicare He is prescribing a lethal dose of cuts to cost of living support His idea of economic surgery isn't a scalpel And that's why his finance spokesperson has spoken about wasted expenditure in excess of $300 billion That is the indexation of pensions and payments support for the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics that are providing free Medicare support here in Tasmania in what should be a chilling reminder for Queenslanders is saying maybe there'll be some issues if you try to cut all the public servants that Peter Dutton has committed to cutting JOURNALIST: Back to Labor and the question that I asked you about rent Are you considering new help for renters and will that be announced in a March federal budget PRIME MINISTER: We make announcements when we make announcements We have had two consecutive increases in rental support and they have been opposed JOURNALIST: What are you doing to get Australian wages moving Four quarters in a row we've had real wages increasing inflation had a 6 in front of it and was rising Now it has a 2 in front of it and it's falling you had low wage growth - that's a key feature of the Liberal's economic architecture What Katy Gallagher's predecessor as Finance Minister was saying was their strategy Our strategy wants to see living standards improve by lowering inflation and increasing wages to increase the minimum wage so that people didn't go backwards Remember during the last election campaign I walked around with a $1 coin in my pocket because the Coalition said that the sky would fall if there was a $1 increase in the minimum wage There was a greater increase than that and guess what but it meant that people had more dollars in their pockets We turned around a system that was going to give big tax cuts to the politicians standing here and no tax cuts to a whole lot of people who live in the Braddon electorate We made sure that every single taxpayer got a tax cut so that people earn more and get to keep more of what they earn First they said they were opposed to it before it was even announced Then they said they'd roll it back and then they said that we should have an election based upon that issue That's how hostile they were to working people getting a tax cut JOURNALIST: How important is it that wages grow faster than inflation we want to see living standards increase and in particular you had the gender pay gap has been reduced to a record low So not only have we seen increases in the minimum wage we've seen our industrial relations system working effectively The opposition to our industrial relations changes has been based upon and remember they said the whole economy would grind to a halt we've singled out sectors that were in danger of collapse the former government had an Aged Care Royal Commission It was a system that was going to collapse We ensured that aged care workers got a decent wage increase as we have early childhood learning as well more than $100 in December in their first pay packet And there'll be an additional more than $50 this December which will push downward pressure on inflation - PRIME MINISTER: You were saying before rents were increasing JOURNALIST: Rents are - I think I've got the wrong word in here JOURNALIST: Have you spoken with Tanya Plibersek around her delayed decisions on the salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour the Robbins Island Wind Farm and the MMG Rosebery Mine's Tailings Dam in the Tarkine under the Act that the Howard Government created they are decisions of the Environment Minister that are done not as part of a cabinet process but certainly I can say from the government's perspective I can confirm we are strong supporters of the salmon industry more than $30 million to improve water quality in Macquarie Harbour we've got a trial off Burnie of not just salmon A Labor Government will always defend jobs I was very pleased to visit Strahan with Anne Urquhart recently and to actually go out on the harbour with the workforce for the welcome that we got at the fair that was held there in Strahan was there that evening and it was a great event JOURNALIST: The entire town of Strahan is nervous about their future What guarantees are you giving them to be sure of the jobs in that community PRIME MINISTER: Strahan will have a great future And I have a history of delivering for that community I remember when the rail there was endangered We intervened last time we were in government to make sure that that occurred JOURNALIST: The rail there is currently in danger as well It's needing millions of dollars of funding What guarantees are you giving to Strahan to ensure that they will have they don't have the confidence that you've got and the record of delay and denial that occurred under the Coalition Government We provided that funding last time we were in government for the rail project The Coalition are saying themselves that they'll make massive cuts - that's what they're saying Economic surgery means taking not a scalpel taking a sledgehammer or a chainsaw to cost of living measures We will continue to provide support for communities Subscribe and stay up to date Connect with us PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land required to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries in Devonport remains on schedule for completion in February 2027 Transport Minister Eric Abetz said “health checks” are currently being conducted on the $375 million project which has faced significant delays from its original timeline The project was initially under TT-Line’s management but complications led to a significant restructuring resulting in the resignation of former minister Michael Ferguson and TT-Line executives “TT-Line should never have taken on the project and they were far too confident about their capacity to deliver,” Abetz told a parliamentary committee on Friday He confirmed the entire development continues to be reworked under new management The Minister expects to provide a more detailed update on the project’s progress by mid-April “We are hopeful that will be ready by middle of next month . and then we will be able to advise the committee the Parliament and the people of Tasmania with more information,” Abetz said Previous discussions had suggested the possibility of completing the berth by late 2026 to align with Tasmania’s peak summer tourism season Abetz cautioned that the current timeline is a “best estimate” pending the outcome of the ongoing review “Given the sort of review that is currently taking place the date that has been put in the media is best estimate and until such time as advice is provided to the contrary Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Picture by Morrison & Breytenbach Architects.A new social housing proposal would make a big impact on Devonport's city centre Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueA development application (DA) submitted to Devonport City Council by Housing Choices Tasmania detailed a six-storey building at 11 Fenton Street The DA has earmarked the current building at the address Housing Choices Tasmania development manager William Harkness said the multi-residential social and affordable housing development would include 30 apartments across five floors "Comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom units designed to provide secure housing for those in need," he said The development was designed by award-winning Tasmanian architects Morrison & Breytenbach Architects ensuring a highly walkable environment for future residents," Mr Harkness said "The project will meet Liveable Housing Australia Silver standards with units designed for high energy efficiency helping to minimise heating and cooling costs for residents." The floor plan for the first floor of a proposed building in Devonport Picture by Morrison & Breytenbach Architects Mr Harkness said projects such as this one are "crucial" "Nearly 5000 Tasmanians [are] currently on the social housing waitlist and particularly high demand in the Devonport and North-West regions of Tasmania," he said "We are working towards securing state and federal government funding to support this vital project." The application will be on public exhibition until January 7 Journalist with The Advocate covering Tasmania's North-West Coast. Got a story or just want to chat, reach out at sarah.fittock@theadvocate.com.au The installation of the first of seven towering entrance markers around Devonport has begun The markers will be positioned at key locations across the city with the first crafted by local sculptor Matt Calvert installed alongside the Bass Highway the structure features programmable lights and a shimmering blue-green effect reminiscent of the river and ocean Additional markers will soon be installed in Spreyton and near the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in East Devonport The $1.15 million project is funded by a government grant to enhance the city’s entrances Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Devonport City Council’s transformation project ‘Living City’ is one of the largest urban renewal projects undertaken in the state and has seen a multitude of work undertaken including AI chatbots to uplift its staff experience told Digital Nation its modernisation work “We've gone from a council that had very little technology not used well by the employees and providing a poor experience to the community," he said “We've gone from 100 percent desktops to 100 percent laptops with all services in the cloud. We don't host any infrastructure on site. Our employees from the time of the pandemic and the lockdowns were able to continue to operating continue to deliver good quality services to the community take phone calls as if there had been no impact “That was a result of having gone purely mobile and in the cloud,” he said council employees began to embrace change and “recognise the positive impact” that transformation was having on the council Griffith explained changes included upgrades to its ERP system and better digital features “We see digital transformation has no end," he said "It's just part of a continuous improvement.”  The council re-platformed its ERP and also adopted Microsoft 365 such as providing online electronic forms," Griffith said “We wanted to be able to transact online.” The council also being one of the first to have chatbot on its website “We were one of the first councils to have a chatbot," Griffith said Griffith said council's work has had a positive impact on the community “It's important that councils recognise leadership and resources to modernise and transform," he said “The day will come where it's no longer a choice We wanted to be on the front foot and lead that journey as opposed to being on the back foot and being forced into it.” An IoT rollout has also helped council create better community experiences we've been heavily focused on implementing a ‘smart city’ initiative “We've rolled out many sensors that can be placed on any device anywhere to collect data We've placed them on council’s bins around the community Griffith said a council bin can now inform staff when it’s 75 percent full and “raise its own work order” enabling teams to arrange a collection before it overflows Sensors in various waterways also allow the council to be alerted to potential flood waters or “more appropriately size our stormwater drains” Council is also in the early stages of delivering a new $60 million indoor sports stadium “We see that being a 'smart' stadium You would have the ability to see what parking is available electronically or online smart initiatives that tell you what seats might be available within the stadium or to receive information such as specials offered by the kiosk." the council's AI work has allowed residents to engage in ways that suits their needs “We implemented an artificial intelligence call recording solution and this solution records every call that comes in and goes out to our customer service team," Griffith said “We did that to capture analytics on customer sentiment It measures seven different emotions in those phone calls "We can provide feedback to our community about the service we're delivering It gives us opportunities to work on improvement.” with more transactions performed on self-service channels council staff have been able to refocus on "higher value activities that better support the community and less on low value admin activities." “We've heard through our councillors that … Devonport council is running like a business and I take that as a bit of a compliment “It's to say that we care about quality customer service delivery and effectively and containing the cost of services we deliver to the community all of these systems help us deliver that.” Griffith said AI will continue to play a large role “It's all about continuous improvement and continuous improvement is about leveraging technology to better support and Improve processes we believe that with the change seen in the past six years largely impacted by artificial intelligence “Last year we were the first council in Tasmania that hired an artificial intelligence and automation officer “We were the first council to have a policy for the use of AI shared with many councils He said his vision includes introducing solutions such as cloud-based call recording Dubber to capture all of its knowledge and conversations “Our chatbot and artificial intelligence will be able to integrate and tap into that incredible wealth of knowledge much improved in terms of customer service delivery through conversational artificial intelligence.” Subscribe to our new weekly Digital Nation e-newsletter for more HR risk and emerging technology news and discussions The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulettes will put on a spectacular aerial display over Devonport and Hobart this weekend Up to six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from the Roulettes team The first display begins over Devonport at 12:30pm with spectators advised to head to the foreshore between Aikenhead Point and Mersey Bluff for the best view A public meet-and-greet is set for 1:15pm at Devonport Airport giving fans a chance to meet the pilots up close the Roulettes will head south to fly over the Royal Hobart Regatta with their arrival over Hobart expected at 5pm The Roulettes are known for their low level precise formations and manoeuvres showcasing the skills and professionalism of RAAF pilots The Air Force says the flying schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or air traffic control requirements Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 A home in East Devonport has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack on Thursday evening Emergency services responded to the Brooke Street property just after 6pm to find the house engulfed in flames but the structure suffered extensive damage Police have confirmed they are treating the fire as suspicious Fire investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the blaze Friday March 14: Police have since charged a teenager with arson Officers arrested the 18-year-old Devonport man on Friday afternoon property and assault offences that allegedly occurred in Devonport over the last two months Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Devonport locals are being warned to prepare for around-the-clock construction noise with works now underway on the new Spirit of Tasmania berth The fast-tracked timeline for the critical infrastructure project was raised in Parliament on Tuesday amid growing concerns about the impact of continuous drilling and pile-driving on nearby homes “The race is on to complete the Devonport berths and the two new Spirit vessels so the State avoids further costly delays,” said Braddon MP Miriam Beswick She questioned whether the works would cause “significant noise disruption” and if complaints could trigger additional setbacks Transport Minister Eric Abetz acknowledged the community’s concerns but backed the construction schedule as essential to keeping the project on track we had criticism that things weren’t happening and now of course there are those elements in the community complaining that things are happening,” Abetz said there will be the requirement of pile driving Abetz confirmed that contractors had notified nearby residents about potential noise impacts while assuring that all work would comply with EPA requirements He urged the community to weigh the short-term pain against the long-term gain “I am hopeful that the people will accept that some noise is part of the price to pay for the delivery of a Berth 3,” he said “I would like to think that most people would see the inconvenience of the noise at the moment will be something that they will be able to look back on and say that was a short-term inconvenience for a huge long-term benefit for the Tasmanian economy.” The contractor will try to minimise that as much as possible.” The long-delayed berth is vital to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels with the project already under pressure to meet deadlines Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 with the Devonport site set to offer drive-thru hot dogs and a laser car wash Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueQuoiba company Beardwood is building the South Australian chain's first venture in Tasmania Site manager Brady Neubacher said this was the first service station the business had constructed mass unit developments and commercial projects like school projects and hotels," he said "The people who build for OTR on the mainland recommended Beardwood." Mr Neubacher said now they have started building service stations "We will do a lot more in the near future at various sites on the North-West Coast," he said The project was given the green light in January 2023 despite traffic concerns getting raised at the Devonport City Council meeting One part of the project site was most recently a used car yard while the land next door was used as a warehouse and showroom by a supplier of disability aids Access to the new service station will be from Formby Rd and Elizabeth St It is expected to take up to five months to compete OTR also plans to build a service station at the intersection of Don Road and Steele Street in Devonport and on the Bass Highway at Cooee I'm excited to have joined The Advocate team having grown up reading the publication. I have experience in agricultural, general and sport reporting during my time in northern Victoria. 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CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Picture by Eve Woodhouse.Marking the future of any business with the abrupt closure of an office may seem like an unexpected move All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut for Spreyton's Belle Binder and her agricultural employment agency it's a way to cut costs and give back to the community Just six months after opening the business's physical shopfront at 135 Rooke Street in Devonport the managing director decided to close its doors She said it was a move that would benefit their core customers - farmers which is aimed specifically at providing farms with seasonal workers and workers with enough seasonal work made the decision to expand nationally last year Mrs Binder said she thought a physical office was a necessity "I suppose I thought we probably don't [need one] but I kind of thought we probably should because other national companies have offices," she said there was actually no reason to have an office "We're always out on the farms with the farmers; they haven't got time to come in and we didn't actually use the office for anything." She said working remotely and not having the physical office had reduced costs for farmers 'why are we paying all this money in rent that we have to pass on as a cost to the farmer when we can strip that cost away'," she said "They've got to find ways of cutting costs The empty Left Field store is located on Rooke Street next to the Paranaple Centre Picture by Eve Woodhouse.Another major aspect of the decision was the impact on local communities "If we do need a meeting that can't be on the farm for whatever reason it's a way to support our community and go into a cafe or if we need a private space "That then supports community members because that's where we're spending the money." Mrs Binder said Rooke Street ticked all the boxes and even shared some of her own ideas of what else the space could be used for "I love that it's across the road from everything that Devonport's built," she said I'd love to see it as a cafe but really it's open to the imagination - it'd be a really cool hairdressers I think it could lend to any kind of artistic flare." That dream to expand nationally is coming true with Left Field having opened its first interstate location near Coffs Harbour "While we're up near Coffs Harbour in that area it's about finding what's important to the community "It's getting into the depths of the community and seeing how we can be socially responsible in that particular area." Following her win of the 2024 Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women's Award and at the Telstra Business Awards in the community category, doors have opened for Mrs Binder far and wide but the dream is to offer our service across Australia because we are really driven to do things socially responsibly," Mrs Binder said "We want to make sure our farmers are looked after Belle Binder inside the empty Devonport Left Field office. Picture by Eve Woodhouse.She will be attending this year's Tasmanian Agrifuture Rural Women's Awards night in March where she will announce the 2025 winner and talk about her experiences in the past year She said the decision to close the Devonport store also made way to the decision to not open any offices around Australia we're going to be able to reduce that cost," she said A Latrobe man has been charged with drug trafficking and road safety offences after attempting to evade police in Devonport leading to his arrest and the discovery of methamphetamine The 40-year-old allegedly tried to flee from Taskforce Scelus officers at around 11am yesterday when they attempted to stop his vehicle on Forbes Street prompting police to track him to a nearby residence where they took the man into custody and seized a quantity of methamphetamine He has been charged with multiple offences including trafficking in a controlled drug and aggravated evade The man was detained overnight and is expected to appear before the Devonport Magistrates Court today Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAt the council's Monday night meeting Cr Steve Martin moved a motion to record informal council workshops Devonport mayor Alison Jarman and councillor Steve Martin Pictures by David Bellamy and Eve Woodhouse.Workshops are intended to be used to share information and informally discuss issues They are non-binding and have no formal status Cr Martin said they should be recorded for "reference and accuracy" and to support transparency Cr Martin referred to an early March workshop where he said councillors had expressed "clear support" for a funding commitment of $100,000 to the Devonport Country Club to host a national bowls event Cr Sheehan disagreed with this and said she did not recall this being a preferred option This led to a robust debate among councillors Cr Martin said that by recording workshops it would remain clear on what was discussed and even played a voice message that he received from Cr Jarman prior to the council's March meeting Cr Jarman said she had discussed another funding option with the general manager of the Country Club Cr Martin accused the mayor of having meetings with Mr Kerr and said the voice message raised concerns about honesty and integrity and said there was an "inconsistency" that deserved clarification Cr Jarman said the only time she spoke with Mr Kerr regarding the second funding option was when he called her "Perhaps if you just answered my phone call we could have cleared this up from the beginning." said councillors give an indication of what they think after workshops but it is up to council staff and the general manager (CEO) to put the agenda together "If they think there's something else as an option there's no reason they can't put it in the agenda," he said "I believe this motion is just a waste of time for council staff." Cr Damien Viney went a step further and suggested the motion was to "entrap councillors or the mayor" "I'm getting a feeling that part of this motion is to almost entrap councillors or the mayor into a gotcha moment," he said Cr Martin's motion only received support from Cr Leigh Murphy An elderly man has passed away nearly two weeks after a serious crash on the Bass Highway at Devonport The 86-year-old man’s wife died at the scene of the incident on Victoria Bridge on April 3 while the man was taken to hospital in a serious condition Police have today confirmed that the man has since passed away following the couple’s nearly 70 years of marriage “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man,” a police spokesperson said Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526. Copyright © 2025. Pulse Tasmania is published by Pulse Media Group Pty Ltd. Play Duration: 3 minutes 38 seconds3m 38sBrought to you by Qantas plans to slash seven Devonport to Melbourne flights per week from March next year. As Chair Claire Connelly explains to Mel Bush on Tasmania Mornings, the DCCI has written to the airline saying it will hurt tourism and increase costs for local businesses. In a statement Qantas says it's "investing in larger turboprop aircraft to operate across its regional network, including to and from Devonport. It says there will be minor reductions in frequency as it transitions from the older fleet while it trains pilots. Qantas says capacity to and from Devonport will be maintained and will increase once the transition is complete". DCCI has written to Qantas over its plans to axe seven of its 27 weekly flights to and from Devonport.(ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo) Hobart, Launceston, Air Transport IndustryTranscriptClaire ConnellyWe were expecting the Q400 aircrafts to return to the schedule, but we weren't expecting the schedule to be slashed by the seven flights that you mentioned. Overall, yes, Qantas will say we're putting on extra seats, but it will have a significant impact to the schedule in and out of Devonport. Mel BushBut again, do you know the reason why? Claire ConnellyNo, well, no, I don't, to be honest. The Q400s disappeared due to COVID and, you know, now they're coming back online, but don't know the reason why,they are actually slashing the number of flights. Mel BushSo though they are increasing the seats being, you know, larger aircraft that are coming in, that is not going to cover that shortfall? Claire ConnellyNo, we will see a slight increase in seats overall. But again, a 25% reduction in the flights in and out of Devonport, which will have a huge impact. Mel BushSo tell us about some of those impacts, Claire. Claire ConnellySo the elimination of the 630 flights out of Devonport means, you know, business travellers will need to travel the night before, incurring extra costs and losing time from their schedule. And also returning Tasmanians will no longer be able to fly into Devonport late on Mondays or Sundays. Mel BushDo you have any concerns in terms of tourism and tourism operators who are already sort of coming to terms with what's happening or not happening as far as the spirits are concerned? Claire ConnellyYeah, absolutely. Look, you know, the delays of the spirits are going to have an impact on tourism and it's likely this will as well. Mel BushAre you confident too with what's happening after the Qantas announcement on the weekend that Rex will remain in a position to maintain its flight schedule in and out of Devonport? Claire ConnellyLook, like you said, that remains under a cloud at the moment. Haven't had any update, but it is concerning that if we lose Rex as well, it's going to have a huge impact overall on the serviceability in and out of Devonport. Mel BushHave you already been hearing back, Claire Connolly, from businesses who are raising concerns about what's occurring in terms of travel in and out of Devonport to the mainland? Claire ConnellyYeah, absolutely. I've had lots of messages and emails from business travellers who travel for work and, you know, it's going to have a massive impact on their schedule time-wise and also affordability as well. It's unlikely that these changes will result in cheaper flights, so we really don't see any upside to this. Mel BushSo will you be sitting down with Qantas or Rex, getting some updates over the coming months to try and address whatever the issues may be? Claire ConnellyAbsolutely, yeah. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with both Qantas and also get an update on what's happening with Rex. Mel BushHave you heard any whispers of any other operators potentially down the track coming in, Claire? You mentioned no cheaper flights. Claire ConnellyNo, we would love to see a cheaper airline coming into Devonport. That's, you know, unlikely given Qantas have the monopoly at the moment, but we would certainly welcome that. Mel BushClaire, I have a feeling we'll be talking again. Thanks so much for your time on the program. Claire ConnellyPleasure. Thanks for having me, Mel. Mel BushYou're listening to ABC Radio Hobart and ABC Northern Tasmania. This is Mel Bush. Published: 14h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 10:30pm Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Picture supplied.A Devonport restaurant is the only one from Tasmania's North-West to be awarded a chef hat by judges at the Good Food Guide Twenty-four Tasmanian restaurants were awarded chef hats this year By Bold Cuisine owner and head chef Simon Bold said the team was both humbled and excited to be awarded one chef hat on the 2025 list has only been open for two years but has also picked up a 'one glass' award for the Australian Wine List of the Year "This is the pinnacle for any chef in Australia and it is so rewarding to be able to do this cooking the food that I love in a small intimate setting," Mr Bold said as a team are so excited that we were able to achieve this here on the coast" Restaurants to receive a hat were notified on January 17 the Good Food Guide's chef hats are awarded to restaurants around Australia The full list of Tasmanian restaurants awarded is here https://www.agfg.com.au/awards/tas Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy on-the-spot access to mental health support in the area Picture file.That followed the promise of funding for the centres two years before that Primary Health Tasmania general manager Alison O'Neill said a lease had now been signed for premises at 11-17 Stewart Street Devonport - the former offices of the National Disability Insurance Scheme "This is a major step towards establishing this new centre which will join the existing Medicare Mental Health Centre in Launceston," Ms O'Neill said It is expected Burnie's centre will be part of a new $26 million health hub at the former UTAS Cradle Coast Campus in Mooreville Road although an announcement is yet to be made we can proceed with the building and fit-out works needed to make the site suitable for its new purpose," she said "We will continue to work closely with service provider Stride Mental Health with the aim of opening the centre in July this year." Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) has commissioned Stride - the operator of the existing Launceston centre - to establish and deliver services from new Medicare Mental Health Centres in Devonport Appointments do not need to be booked and the service is free Stride CEO Drikus van der Merwe said the exact timing of service commencement from the Devonport site would depend on factors including the fit-out process and recruitment of a suitable workforce we have already started a telehealth service which means people don't have to wait for the Devonport centre to open - they can receive phone support now," Mr van der Merwe said "People can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 between 8.30am and 5pm "This telehealth service is also available to people in the Burnie and outer Hobart areas TT-Line has confirmed to a parliamentary hearing that its Devonport Berth 3 project is “under cost pressure” Chair Ken Kanofski told the committee on Thursday that the design of the new gantry structure and its marine foundations “present the biggest risk to both time and cost” The project was originally expected to cost $90 million four years ago but that figure ballooned to $375 million last year “We will not be providing details today as per the government’s announcement last week we believe that the alternative design solution provides a good opportunity for meeting the earliest possible completion date,” he said Kanofski said time and cost are “integrally linked” to current negotiations with contractors and releasing figures now would be “highly prejudicial to the state’s interest” updated cost and time estimates are expected in the next four to five weeks “Both time and cost remain uncertain and are subject to the results of that negotiation We do not have a properly tested and authorised estimate to release,” Kanofski said “Cost and time is never guaranteed at any stage of an infrastructure project and is not useful to release updated information every time something positive or negative happens These things happen on a daily basis.” The project is aiming to have the new terminal up and running by February 2027 at the latest though the goal is to finish before October 2026 to accommodate the arrival of the new Spirit ferries for the 2026–27 peak season “One part of this project is very complex “The part of this project that is complex is the loading gantry structure and the associated guide dolphins and the piling and the foundations that support that.” Labor leader Dean Winter called Kanofski’s words “code for major cost blowouts” “This is Tasmanian taxpayer money being used like confetti by the Rockliff government and this is how we get to $10 billion worth of net debt that’s going to cost our economy half a billion dollars a year in interest repayments,” he said “When I drive past Devonport I’m staggered at the lack of progress that’s been happening at Berth 3 and now we know why The reason is they still have not finished the design.” Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to[email protected], use our News Tips form or call and leave us a message on 03 6124 2526 Picture: Google maps.A car park in Devonport's CBD will be transformed into a multi-storey mixed-use development after its sale was unanimously approved Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDevonport City Council approved the sale of the council-owned portion of the Edward Street Car Park for $825,000 to Small in the New Big (SITNB) unit trust The development will see four storeys with the ground floor divided into seven commercial spaces while the top floors will see 35 residential apartments Devonport Council said the mixed-use development would support local businesses and expand housing options while reinforcing Devonport's position as a growing and vibrant city It said the design would complement the "existing character" of Edward Street "This project builds upon the success of the nearby Red Hot Lofts a highly-regarded development also led by principal of SITNB "The decision to repurpose the Edward Street Car Park is considered a more strategic use of valuable city space with the nearby multi-storey car park providing equally convenient parking for the CBD with undercover options and additional capacity." The value of the land was based on an independent valuation Mr Ugarte said the council's progressive vision and the LIVING CITY initiative have made Devonport "an exciting place to invest "SITNB is proud to contribute to this momentum by delivering a development that strengthens commercial activity and supports the ongoing transformation of Edward Street," he said The site is set to see a multi-storey building with residential and commercial spaces Picture: Google maps.Devonport mayor Alison Jarman said the development reflects the city's ongoing progress "The addition of new commercial spaces will create opportunities for businesses while 35 new apartments in the CBD will expand housing options for residents," she said "We are committed to building a city that supports growth and this project is an important part of that journey "The proposed development will include on-site resident parking and [the] council will continue to operate a small public car park at the southern end of the existing car park on a separate title and NAB has officially opened the doors to its new Devonport Branch following a $1.7 million investment in the Tasmanian city NAB’s Tasmanian Retail Customer Executive Karen Ford said the team are excited to continue to help customers from their new-look site “We’ve been a part of the Devonport community for more than 50 years and are looking forward to serving our customers in our new space areas for conversations with banking specialists a 24/7 Smart ATM and a digital banking education space with iPads for customers to use for online banking.” While the new Devonport Branch is kitted out with the latest banking equipment there is one community relic that will take pride of place for the team a customer gifted Customer Advisor Kathy Dobson a click-clack machine the device was used by merchants to manually record credit card transactions Kathy  made sure to pack the banking antique when the team relocated to the other end of the Rooke Street mall “A customer in the community had held on to it for years but decided it should be sitting in the branch with us,” Kathy said “I just love it and I didn’t want to give it up in the move It’s a nice reminder of how connected to the community we are “I’ve written History 101 on the top of it to show my younger colleagues please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015 NAB’s Chadstone branch will throw open its doors for Saturday trading bringing the total number of branches open on Saturday to 31 across Australia NAB’s Yeppoon team has opened the doors to the brand-new branch in the heart of the regional Queensland town following a $1.3 million investment in the community NAB to temporarily close 46 branches and eight business centres across QLD and Northern NSW amid Cyclone Alfred threat visit NAB’s Business Research and Insights Subscribe to NAB News to receive news straight to your inbox You will not receive any advertising material by signing up to receive NAB News Thank you for subscribing to NAB News to receive news straight to your inbox © National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 230686. Website Terms. Privacy Policy The energy and enthusiasm for offshore yacht racing has never been more evident with a large fleet entered in the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Yacht Race Close to 40 boats will be on the start line of this historic 195 nautical mile yacht race across Bass Strait from Melbourne to Devonport which is conducted by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) and the Mersey Yacht Club (MYC) on the north west coast of Tasmania.  The Rudder Cup Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the measurement handicap winner of the race The race is also part of the ORCV Offshore Championship and is open to yachts fully crewed The race will start from the historic maritime village of Queenscliff Victoria at 2pm on Friday 1 November with the fleet heading to a finish line at the mouth of the Mersey River in Devonport.   Race organisers expect plenty of spectators along the shoreline and on the waters of Port Phillip Bay as Melburnians take advantage of the Melbourne Cup long weekend and if the weather gods deliver a northerly spring breeze for the start they can expect a spectacular kaleidoscope of colourful kites as the fleet sets off for the Apple Isle.  While the 2024 yachts may look a little different to Thistle the yawl-rigged yacht that won the first Rudder Cup held in 1907 sea safety and spirit that together form part of the very soul of ocean racing.  The Rudder Cup originated from a collaboration between a ‘leading spirit in the American yachting world’ editor and publisher of the maritime magazine and his friend Commodore T A Dickson of the Geelong Yacht Club (GYC) a leading American yachtsman with a penchant for cruising and offshore sailing and an apparent dislike of professional club-based yacht racing held a deep conviction that amateur sailors were equally capable of safely handling and navigating smaller boats over long distances Day founded (and won) the first New York to Bermuda Race with three boats under 40 feet contesting the 636 nautical mile race and with a 20-year-old female sailing on the smallest boat Day took his efforts further afield to Victoria and generously donated the magnificent and expensive Rudder Cup for the inaugural race to be sailed from Victoria to northern Tasmania.  The 1907 race was open to cruising-sailing boats under 60-feet of any rig from any organised yacht club in the Commonwealth.  Four boats lined up on the start line for the first race from Queenscliff to Low Head in Tasmania.  who was on the winning crew alongside his daughter hid the Rudder Cup trophy for over 60 years to discourage others from attempting the voyage across Bass Strait and despite a gap of a few years between events Fast forward to 2024 and the Rudder Cup serves as a qualifying or lead-up event for other ocean races including the Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’ Yacht Race and Rolex Sydney to Hobart.  has confidence in the skills and experience of the fleet as they prepare for the 2024 race.  “Bass Strait can be a daunting stretch of water but what’s so helpful is that the ORCV run educational courses that enable sailors to be well prepared to take on challenges such as the Rudder Cup.   “We are thrilled to partner with the ORCV to enable this race to occur annually,” said Travers.  This year’s fleet will be chasing the longstanding race record set by Prowler (Joe Westerlo) in 1998 of 19 hours however the long-range forecast is currently predicting a race length of closer to 30 hours The ORCV has made a major contribution to the development and growth of double-handed sailing in Australia which is reflected in the 2024 entry list with six teams sailing the event double-handed and using the race as a lead-up event for the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup (Double Handed Yacht Race) ORCV Commodore and skipper of entrant White Spirit is sailing the race double handed with Lillian Stewart and is also entered in the Melbourne to Hobart and the 2025 Osaka Race.  “The Melbourne to Devonport is the perfect example of ORCV’s success in fostering amateur sailors to successfully race across Bass Strait and around Tasmania.   “Our safety and skills development programs equip experienced and newer sailors alike with the capabilities to race over longer distances and we’re seeing a rapid increase in double-handed sailing with mixed crews and people of all ages,” said Allen.   Safety at sea is a major focus of the ORCV and promoting a boat-safe culture a priority of the club. The ORCV regularly hosts safety and sea survival courses, keel and full boat inspections, and makes available a vast array of sea safety resources and training opportunities on the water and online for sailors The 2024 Rudder Cup has a special place in the hearts and minds of Australian ocean sailors.   One would like to think that pioneering yachtsman Thomas Fleming Day would also be impressed with the evolution of sailing and the successes of small boats exploring new horizons through deep sea sailing today.  Website www.orcv.org.au  Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OceanRacingClub    About ORCV: A leading authority on ocean sailing the Club was formed so that ocean races in Victorian waters could be efficiently developed and run by an organisation focusing specifically on the needs of ocean racers plus all the latest on yachting regattas and offshore adventures around the world Picture by David Bellamy Paul and Jenny Overton have been framing lives since 1998 Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueTheir business the Frame Factory has helped customers commemorate special days and sombre occasions It has been a staple of the Devonport retail scene for longer 26 years after purchasing the business at 18 Stewart Street the husband and wife team are bidding it farewell "We've seen a lot of changes in the way you run a business but our particular business - a lot has stayed the same And that's the beauty of it," Mrs Overton said will depart the business to take care of Mr Overton's health after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour "I've had problems with my vision for the last few years - it's been troubling me," Mr Overton said "A couple of months ago my right ear went deaf overnight and he said we need to get an MRI and have a look at what's going on." Paul and Jenny Overton outside their Devonport business The tumour is set to be operated on in January "We certainly can't run a shop going through that." Mrs Overton said: "Everything has to be on hold." while Mrs Overton looked after their four children Mr Overton said the building industry was quite bad in the late 1990s and that his body was wearing out due to a few injuries Paul and Jenny Overton.Closing up shopThe Frame Factory will close on December 20 The pair said people in the community are "all very sad to see us go" "They wish us all the best and thanked us for all the wonderful work and the friends we've made," Mr Overton said and you get to know your customers incredibly well "You hear everybody's story because it's all about life," Mrs Overton said framed a wetsuit that won a ski jumping contest in America once "I framed a flag that was in the Second World War - a Japanese flag signed by the prisoners of war." They said people would bring in not only photos or other items to frame but also their stories "I guess I wear one of those T-shirts that says 'tell me everything' and they do," Mr Overton said Saying goodbye to their store of 26 years also means bidding farewell to memories with their four children whose ages ranged from 10 to 15 when they first purchased the business "They walked down from school and waited in the shop until we knocked off and we'd drive home," Mrs Overton said "They would put their artwork all over our walls and in the office "Many of their friends have wonderful memories of our office and coming in to see us and having lunch here." Mr Overton reckons that if you went around Devonport and looked behind everyone's frames you'll see Frame Factory and there'll be a sticker," he said The husband and wife team said the shop has been on the market for the past two years "We just had COVID and the economy is not brilliant it's hard for retail - businesses are not selling," Mr Overton said with one person interested in purchasing "a lot of the framing material to start their own business." "It's not a complete end of the line for some of the gear," Mrs Overton said "It's going to keep going and make more frames at some other point for someone else." All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDevonport in Tasmania has been named the winner of the 2024 Top Tourism Town Awards The Australian Tourism Industry Council called Devonport a "unique coastal gem" "nestled along the captivating north-west coast of Tasmania where mountains meet the sea and the picturesque Mersey River flows" "Serving as the vibrant hub of the Cradle Mountain region Devonport is an ideal launchpad for unforgettable day trips Devonport invites you to immerse yourself in the fervour and pride of its locals," the council said and discover firsthand the reasons to cherish The Small Tourism Town Winners were Exmouth The 2024 Tiny Tourism Town Winners were Huskisson Picture suppliedThe top tour guides were Adam Hinks of Aquascene in Queensland who won gold and Graeme Dearle of Pemberton Discovery Tours in Western Australia who won silver presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council and supported by Tourism Australia were announced at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on September 10 Australian Tourism Industry Council CEO Erin McLeod said: "Each of the winning towns are a treasure trove of unique experiences and rich heritage come together to create unforgettable journeys." Devonport winners at the 2024 Top Tourism Town Awards. Picture suppliedThe awards celebrate regional Australia and give townships the opportunity to showcase their communities and unique tourism offerings Each category is measured by population size along with attractions and the infrastructure designed to host guests Finalists in each category have won at a state level through a process involving industry panel judges and a public vote Picture by Eve Woodhouse.The popcorn is flowing for Devonport's Reading Cinemas complex after it sold for more than $5 million Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe complex which is also home to the office of Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck and the Oriental Cafe was sold on December 10 at an auction in Melbourne "That's a substantial sale really in any Tasmanian major city," Burgess-Rawson Melbourne agent Matthew Wright said "Anything in excess of $4.5 million is substantial Burgess-Rawson has not recently sold many cinemas across the country Mr Wright said the Devonport complex received a "lot of inquiries." "That shows us that cinemas are making a comeback - as we have known over the last four or five years," he said Mr Wright said the complex was sold to an interstate investor "The lease is in place; Reading Cinemas are really happy there," he said The agent said Devonport has seen a number of "really good results" in the past 12 months, from the sale of Devonport Toyota to that of a prominent building in Devonport's Rooke Street Mall Eyes are now turning away from larger population centres such as Hobart and Launceston to Devonport international people are looking at [Devonport] I think there's certainly some capital wanting to get into Devonport." Devonport's Reading Cinemas is close to McDonald's He said the Melbourne-based commercial agency is also "seeing some new players want to get into Devonport" so you've got some major nationals looking to get some space there and I think with [Stony Rise] getting approved Mr Wright did not divulge which "major nationals" we may see move into Devonport; however he said there are a "fair few large format retailers" "There are some new nationals that are in Tasmania and that are not in Tasmania looking to get into Devonport," he said Mr Wright said there are some "exciting developments in the pipeline" so they wouldn't be in the council as of yet," he said "2025 as a whole is going to be hopefully really positive .. the election's going to re-energize everyone "It's been a pretty tough national last 12 - 18 months but we're pretty positive going into next year."