NEW NEW NEW

Society at Salamanca is no more, with the opening of Don Frico (22 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point). Get along for ‘hot slices, cold marti­nis’, with New York-style pizza and cocktails, open from 3pm Tuesday to Saturday for walk ins only. Leoht (46a Hampden Road, Battery Point) is now open on Friday and Saturday nights, showcasing small Tasmanian producers, a smart drink list and a gorgeous atmosphere in a 170-year-old Georgian cottage. Enjoy dinner, or grab a snack and a happy hour special, from 5-6pm. Nepalese restaurant Soul Marry Savour in Centrepoint has opened an additional location, taking over the kitchen at Central Hotel (73 Collins Street, Hobart). There’s a cute new bread fridge in town with Beach Road Bakes (Beach Road, Margate) honesty fridge opening its door filled with focaccia, cookies and sourdough. In a city that knows good produce, the team behind ii Hanashi Izakaya (66a Elizabeth Street, Launceston) thought one thing was missing: a bowl of ramen that warms you from the inside out. They’re combining traditional Japanese techniques with Tasmanian ingredients to create a ramen and bar experience where you can sit down with friends and family and share a good yarn. Opening soon in the Gospel Hall building. Coastal Shine Nutrition (90d Oldaker Street, Devonport) is coming soon to Devon­port with energy loaded teas, protein smoothies and more. The Ross Hotel (35 Church Street, Ross), formerly the Man O’Ross, is entering a new phase, with construction underway on the heritage pub.

The Party Point (7 Wallace Street, Bridgewater) is a huge indoor space in Bridgewater where you can host your next birthday party. Indoor blow up slides and jumping castles, dodgem cars, arcade games, air hockey and more. Outside there’s a barbecue area, frisbee golf, totem tennis, soccer nets, nerf gun target shooting and more! Scoop Wholefoods (Unit 3/6 Shireline Drive, Howrah) has opened at Shoreline Plaza, with high qual­ity organic, natural and sustainable wholefoods. Take your own contain­ers to reduce single use packaging. Bellerive Coworking (1a Cambridge Road, Bellerive) is a new family-run space built by a husband and wife team juggling kids and life – they understand the real challenges of staying productive. They created the space to give small business owners, freelancers, and remote professionals a practical, welcoming place to focus, connect, and grow. Richmond Botan­icals (50 Bridge Street, Richmond) have opened their beautifully scented shop, between the bakery and the lolly shop. Dear Valentine (Main Street, Sheffield) has opened the cutest little ‘cacao apothecary’ and ice cream parlour in Sheffield, serving small batch frozen treats as they evolve their offering into more…watch their space

FREE TSO

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is touring the state with a series of free concerts this month. “Live music should be accessible for all Tasmanians. So, we’re packing up our instrument cases and taking the music out of the concert hall and straight to you,” they say in the announcement, “It’s our way of saying thank you to our communities, in all corners of our state.” They’ll be popping up at schools and community spaces from Devonport (paranaple arts centre, 10 June, 6pm), Sheffield (Shef­field Town Hall, 11 June, 1pm), Laun­ceston (Strings at St John’s Church, 11 June, 1pm) and Hobart (TSO Studio, 1pm). While tickets are free you do need to book. Head to tso.com.au.

ZIP THROUGH THE LEA

Southern Tasmania is getting its own aerial adventure park this month. Tre­eClimb Hobart, at The Lea, will open mid month, with more than 600m of ziplines across six courses (two of which are aimed at younger kids). Their Tarzan swing is apparently the highest in Australia (at 11.5m above ground). TreeClimb opened the coun­try’s first inner-city aerial adventure park in Adelaide in 2018 and recently took over Tas Laser Skirmish in the same area as the new park.

POST OFFICE WOES

West Hobartians are demanding a Senate inquiry into the shutting down of licensed post offices across Australia following the sudden closure of their local. Australia Post recently terminated the local licence of the West Hobart post office, which operated within the West Hobart Express mini supermar­ket. A recent community meeting at Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, attended by about 200 people, culminat­ed in a plan to write to federal Minister for Communications Anika Wells re­questing a Senate inquiry into licensed post office closures nationally, with a petition with around 1,450 signatures.

LAUNCESTON FOR WINTER

Launnie is one of the country’s best winter holiday destinations, according to Expedia, a global travel booking platform. It came in sixth place, hanging out in the top ten alongside Byron Bay (1), Kangaroo Island (3), Margaret River (4) and Sydney (9). These are destinations that ‘can be better value in winter compared to summer’, as per Expedia’s data. Laun­ceston is the only Tasmanian place in the list, and made it because it can be up to 25% cheaper, 45% quieter in winter, and offers cool-climate dining, vineyards, nature-based woodfire sau­na and cold plunge experiences. Jane Howlett, state Minister for Tourism, said it would help put Launceston out there as a destination for a new audience. “This recognition confirms Launceston is truly punching above its weight as a destination during the off season,” she said. “This puts northern Tasmania in front of millions of trav­ellers who are actively planning their next trip, which is great news for local tourism and hospitality businesses.”

RIP WARNING AT BLACKMANS BAY

A new rip warning sign has been installed at the northern end of Blackmans Bay Beach to warn swimmers of the possi­bility of rip currents in the area. “Rips are one of the most common hazards on Australian beaches,” Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said. “Council is continuing to work with Surf Life Saving Tasmania to improve signage and messaging on non-patrolled beaches. Three Tasmanian teenagers were rescued after they were swept out in the current in that spot in January this year, prompting locals to sug­gest a warning sign be re-erected there.

As a reminder to residents, the council shared the following rip information. Some of the key signs to look for are deeper and darker water, fewer breaking waves, sandy coloured water extending beyond the surf zone, debris or seaweed and significant water movement. It can sometimes be easier to look for where the waves are breaking consistently and then look to each side where they don’t break consistently; those areas may be rip currents. Avoid entering the water if you notice any of the key signs. If you are caught in a rip, it’s important to stay calm to conserve your energy, wave for help, and swim parallel with the beach towards the breaking waves. For more information on beach safety and rip currents, visit www.beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety/ripcurrents

LEGACY NEEDS YOUR HELP SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF VETERANS

Hobart Legacy provides dedicated, personalised support to the families of those who gave their lives or health in service to Australia – in war, peace­keeping, hazardous duties, or training. Their members serve voluntarily, hon­ouring the legacy of service by caring for its dependents for over 100 years. Hobart Legacy are currently seeking new members. If you are willing to vol­unteer to assist veteran families, please contact admin@legacyhobart.com.au.

BREASTSCREEN BUS BACK FOR TASMANIANS…BUT LATER

Health Minister Bridget Archer has confirmed that the replacement for an out-of-service BreastScreen bus will finally be on the road this December, three months later than the previous September target. The original bus that serviced the south and the east coast, called Luna, has been out of action since April last year after numerous mechanical issues. Next month a new BreastScreen site will open at the Devonport Community Health Centre, which should free up the other bus, Ida, to travel further afield. The Tasmanian Breast Care Centre also recently opened at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Liver­pool Clinics, with screening, diagnostic imaging and patient support in one spot.

WILLY WONKA’S GLENORCHY BRANCH

Glenorchy City Council has approved the development of a $150 million chocolate experience tourist attraction at Cadbury. Mayor Sue Hickey said the Council, sitting as the Glenorchy Planning Au­thority, had approved the development application for the Chocolate Experience attraction at Cadbury’s Claremont site, subject to a number of conditions. She also said there would be a variety of chocolate-themed areas, including choco­late-making elements, a chocolate lounge, an emporium and – the main event, surely – tasting opportunities. “Alongside MONA, the Chocolate Experience will undoubtedly be a major tourism draw­card, generating economic activity during both construction and through increased visitor numbers in the longer term,” she said. “I’m sure chocolate-lovers the world over have been eagerly awaiting a new visitor experience ever since the centre closed a decade ago.” And who remem­bers the mega boxes of seconds you used to be able to buy from the factory shop?! Hopefully they’re part of the plan too.

SHORTEST LICENCE RECORD?

A Tasmanian teenager has been ordered not to drive whilst on bail after he was arrested for speeding and evading police just 33 hours after getting his P1 licence. The 17-year-old, from Wynyard, was detected speeding 38km over the 100km limit on the Bass Highway at Doctors Rocks. When police officers went to intercept the vehicle the teen drove off but about half an hour later he was stopped by road spikes then arrested. He was granted bail on the condition he not drive during the bail period. If you have information about any dangerous driving incident you can call 131 444, or 000 in an emergency.

ILLEGAL TREE HOOKING IN CLARENCE

An ancient Tasmanian Blue Gum, estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old, has been illegally cut down between Geilston Bay and Risdon Vale. The City of Clarence is urging the community to report suspicious activity in its bushland reserves following the cutting of the tree in Pilcher’s Hill Reserve as part of extensive illegal wood-cutting activities.

Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach said the loss of just one ancient tree in a natural area had devastating flow-on impacts. “Illegal tree hooking in bushland reserves is not a minor offence, it causes long-term damage to fragile ecosystems. The loss of a mature Tasmanian Blue Gum at Pilchers Hill, potentially over two centuries old, is a serious blow to local habitat, includ­ing species like the Swift Parrot,” Mr Stronach said.

City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said it was difficult to monitor the reserves, and called on the community to help. “Unfortunately, we are currently responding to illegal tree cutting in several of our bush­land reserves, including Pilcher’s Hill Reserve, where dozens of trees have been targeted in recent weeks,” he said. “We’re asking anyone who witnesses trees being cut, or suspicious activ­ity such as the removal of timber or vehicles entering and leaving bushland areas, to report it to Tasmania Police. Many of our reserves can be accessed from multiple locations, including adjoining private land, which makes enforcement extremely challenging. That’s why community awareness and reporting are so important.” If you have information to report, call Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania 1800 333 000.

DERWENT NATURE REPAIR BLUEPRINT

A local pilot program that would inform and support long-term nature repair projects across the country has received a $10 million federal funding commitment. The Derwent Catch­ment’s Nature Repair Pilot launched last month, with a focus on disaster mitigation, stronger biosecurity and biodiversity protection, threatened species conservation, sustainable agri­cultural and regional job creation. The ambitious project will hopefully pro­vide a blueprint for catchment-scale nature repair across Australia.

THIRSTY OATLANDS

Oatlands is the most recent town to move to stricter water restrictions as dam levels drop. The midlands town is now on stage two water restrictions, just three weeks after being put on stage one restrictions. TasWater is aiming to cut non-es­sential water use in the town by 50 per cent. Residents can no longer water lawns, and other garden wa­tering will be restricted to allocated days depending on a property’s street number. There is no end-date specified, though with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a warmer and drier than average winter, time will tell.

POP GOES THE CURTAIN

Theatre coach and director John Adkins was invited to Mathers House on Bathurst Street in 2022 to establish an acting class for retired and elderly participants. The group has been going strong ever since, welcoming members of varying ages and bringing together a community united by a love of perfor­mance. John works with the group on a range of acting techniques, encouraging members to develop their own ideas for comedy skits, which are then rehearsed through to a graduation performance. The group – who named themselves POP, short for Playing Our Part – has been re­hearsing since February and is now ready to take to the stage. The performance will be held on 3 June at The Criterion House, below Mathers House on Bathurst Street, beginning at 1.30pm. The show runs for 75 minutes, with lucky door prizes and afternoon tea to follow. Entry is by gold coin donation.