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NEWS
Launceston airport takes off
IN BRIEF
Holidays to stay
THE Tasmanian Government has decided
not to make any significant changes to statewide or local public holidays this year despite the cancellation of events such as local
agicultural shows.
Due to the disruption and uncertainty
that COVID-19 has created, questions were
raised about whether the cancellation of a
show event should result in the cancellation
of the associated show day public holiday.
Building and Construction Minister Elise
Archer said any decision to change local
public holidays would require sufficient time
for proper consultation as well as time for
community members to plan for the impact
of a change in the date.
AmazeBalls innovation
TASMANIAN dairy producer Ashgrove’s
innovation has been recognised on the national stage, with their AmazeBalls popped
cheese awarded for innovation against 1200
entrants.
AmazeBalls, which uses Australian first
technology to “pop” cheese into a crisp, air
dried snack, won the Most Innovative Product in Show at the 2020 Dairy Industry Association of Australia Product Competition.
“If you can’t be the biggest kid on the
block, you have to use what you have and
try to be the smartest,” Ashgrove marketing
manager Anne Bennett said.
In recent weeks the distillery took delivery of two custom made copper pot stills,
fabricated by Stillsmiths Tasmania in Westbury.
Oatlands makes offer
to potential investors
THE historic midlands town of Oatlands
is set for a tourism revival with a proposal
for a boutique hotel and a new distillery
already under way.
The Southern Midlands Council is
looking to attract a proponent to establish a
hotel with at least a four-star rating and 30
plus rooms in the historic village.
Southern Midlands Mayor Alex Green
said the proposed hotel would fill a gap in
the region’s tourism infrastructure that had
been acknowledged for many years.
“The proposed hotel will open up
MORE than $5m will be provided by the
State Government towards the expansion of
the Launceston Airport terminals.
The total cost is $10.3 million, with the
airport contributing the balance for improvements across the airport, including a larger
and more contemporary arrivals experience,
improved passenger security screening and a
larger departures and check-in facility.
Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson
said the Government’s 2020-2021 Budget
funding would also contribute to the development cost of a new air freight cargo facility at the airport to service increased air
freight movement and to better support Tasmania’s live seafood, agriculture and general
freight movements to both domestic and international markets
New Port Arthur director
Oatlands and the surrounding region to a
whole new visitor accommodation market,”
Mr Green said. “It will complement, not
compete with, the existing small scale
B&Bs.”
The council has launched a ‘Request for
Proposals’ process.
The hotel proposal comes as the town
prepares to open a $25 million dollar
whisky distillery, the Callington Mill.
,It is expected to generate around 40 local
jobs during construction and attract tens of
thousands of visitors to the area.
MELINDA Percival has been appointed to
the Board of Directors of the Port Arthur
Historic Management Authority.
Heritage Minister Elise Archer said Ms
Percival brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience across a number of relevant industries including, utilities, airports,
tourism and government.
WorkSafe appoints head
ROBYN Pearce has been appointed the new
Executive Director of WorkSafe Tasmania.
Ms Pearce was formerly WorkSafe’s Director Industry Safety and has a background
in strategy and people management.
TASMANIAN BUSINESS REPORTER, November 2020 7
