Newsletter, December 2011, Issue 123
Hobart rates highly in cities survey
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Hobart’s people feel safer, have lower levels of psychological distress and volunteer more than residents in any other Australian capital city, according to a Federal Government report released in November.
The State of Australian Cities 2011 provides a snapshot of cities with populations of more than 100,000 and can be downloaded at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/mcu/soac.aspx.
Hobart rates particularly well as a place to live, with the shortest commuting distances of any capital and fewer men being overweight or obese. It is the safest city for both people and property.
The Premier, Lara Giddings, said: “The report confirms Tasmania’s reputation as a great place to live and work with high levels of public safety, low unemployment and short commuting times.”
The day after the report was released, the State’s trend unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 per cent.
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, was impressed with Hobart’s high levels of volunteering. “It is one of the surest signs of community connectedness and wellbeing,” he said.
However, Mr Albanese said Hobart had a stubbornly low level of public transport patronage, a relatively low number of green-star rated buildings and a higher percentage of detached houses than other cities.
“This means that fewer people live in apartments or townhouses, which might be a better style of living for singles, the aged and less physically active, particularly in the future,” Mr Albanese said.
The report shows Hobart’s population grew from 197,282 people to 214,705 between 2001 and 2010. It predicts a population of 247,000 people by 2027.
The Mercury editorialised: “There is a terrific marketing opportunity for Hobart, and for Tasmania … While our tourism industry has plenty of shiny ads out there, nationally and internationally, the same cannot be said for a campaign to sell the considerable virtues of Hobart, and therefore Tasmania, that are outlined in the cities report.
“Notwithstanding the work still to do, public safety, less stress and easy commuting are compelling reasons for people to consider making this state their home. Not to mention the clear air, the equable weather, and all those trim blokes.”
Launceston, the second Tasmanian city to meet the survey qualification of 100,000 inhabitants, boasted the most affordable housing of any city. A home by the Tamar is three times cheaper than one on the Gold Coast.
Launceston also had the most affordable rental housing among the surveyed population centres.
For more stories in the December issue of the Brand Tasmania newsletter, please click on the headlines.
Local scientists develop botrytis blocker
Derwent Valley scientists Dean Metcalf and Geraldine Colombo believe they have found a way to reduce the impact of botrytis on wine grapes by up to 80 per cent. If you would like to read more about a natural, Tasmanian-made control of one of the wine industry’s worst disease threats, please click on the headline.
Mona to spice up the party season
Crews from the 89 yachts still entered in this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart blue water classic will be greeted in Hobart by a new-style and bigger Taste Festival. If you would like to read more about the coming party season that features Mona for the first time, please click on the headline.
Firesticks sparkle in Gammage opus
Historian Bill Gammage’s latest book, The Biggest Estate on Earth. How Aborigines Made Australia, rolls out an unprecedented array of evidence to support the so-called “fire-stick” theory that the Australian environment of 1788 was not natural, but had been modified and maintained by man. If you would like to read about ancient land management that changed Tasmania and limited the threat of mega-bushfires, please click on the headline.
Don’t worry, we’re on the cider wave
Cider sales in Australia are now growing by 13 per cent a year and Tasmania is riding the wave with an upsurge in smaller producers complementing Cascade’s traditional Australian market-leading position. If you would like to read more, please click on the headline.
European plunge for Stormy Lifejackets
Tasmanian inflatable personal flotation devices are now being marketed into Europe through a British distribution facility and an ecommerce website www.stormylifejackets.co.uk. If you would like to read about another innovative Tasmanian exporter, please click on the headline.
Blustery Banks tops nation’s pinot noirs
Orchardists who sell a case of two of wine at the weekly Devonport farmers’ market have won the nation’s most coveted pinot noir trophy at the Royal Hobart Wine Show. If you would like to read Wine & Food Writer, Graeme Phillip’s show wrap-up, please click on the headline.
Pennicott is State’s Aussie of the Year
Conservationist and eco-tourism operator, Robert Pennicott, who recently circumnavigated the nation in an inflatable boat, is Tasmania’s Australian of the Year. If you would like to read more, please click on the headline.
Horticulture honour for Buz Green
Tasmanian agricultural pace-setter, L.R. “Buz” Green, has won the Australian horticulture industry’s most prestigious accolade, the Graham Gregory Award. If you would like to read more about Buz Green and other Tasmanian award winners, please click on the headline.
News-in Brief
Marina to ease boat berth squeeze
A new marina that will ease the festive season squeeze on boat berths in Hobert heads up the latest edition of News-in-Brief. We also report on plans for a $50 million UTAS creative arts hub next to the Theatre Royal; an authoritive description of Bea Maddock as Australia’s greatest printer; and lots more. If you would like to read the December edition of News-in-Brief, please click on the headline.
Competition 123
The quiz prizes this month will be copies of the book The Biggest Estate on Earth. How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage.
The November quiz answer: Anne Henderson
This month's question: Which Australian capital boasts the trimmest males?
Closing date: 12/02/2012
For further information contact:
Robert Heazlewood
Executive Director
Robert.Heazlewood@brandtasmania.com
Mike Jenkinson
Communications Consultant
editor@brandtasmania.com