Burnie, Australia News

A 45-SEAT bus organised by the Burnie Club to transport people to a pro-mining rally at Tullah tomorrow has nearly been filled.

FORMER owner of Fairford, Burnie's Ken Murray, says the announcement Australia's Ford factories would close in a few years was "very sad". Ford Australia yesterday announced operations at the Geelong engine factory and the Broadmeadows assembly line would cease in October 2016.

IT'S OFFICIAL: Signing a resource-sharing agreement yesterday are Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam, Burnie Mayor Steve Kons and Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh.

"They are a nuisance; their droppings severely compromise the aesthetics of the CBD and may pose a health risk to the community," the firm's Leanne Topfer wrote to the council.

TASMANIA's log grading system will be reviewed in the wake of a sawmilling trial which used logs destined to be sent to China for woodchips.

Burnie Alderman Jim Altimira has a motion on notice for tonight's council meeting that: " ... council officers convene a meeting with Devonport Council to discuss the possibility of having the new aquatic centre declared a regional facility with the objective of having a dedicated commuter service between Burnie and Devonport to meet the needs of ... (more)

Braddon MHR Sid Sidebottom with grant recipients Kylie Mulcahy, Christine Collins, Tony Read, Jane Stokes, John Braslin, Peter Symonds, Anthony Stewart and Tracy Edington-Mackay. Picture: Grant Wells.

STRANDED: Katrina Rose, of East Devonport, has trouble accessing the Devonport wheelchair taxi, the only one on the Coast, at night.

It was announced this week that the Australian soul-diva will perform REWIND: The Aretha Franklin Songbook tour at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre on July 4. Anu will perform a touching tribute to her idol, which features an array of Franklin songs with her own special touch.

WHILE Tim Mohr shone at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, the other Tasmanian defender on show was having a significantly tougher outing.

Salvation Army volunteer Steve Upton, Burnie Captain Judith Brown and volunteer Gary Hind are collecting donations for the Red Shield Appeal.

Discussing the Bass Strait freight crisis at York Cove, George Town, yesterday are George Town Chamber of Commerce president Alan Golley, Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten, George Town Mayor Roger Broomhall, West Tamar Mayor Barry Easther and Dorset Mayor Barry Jarvis.

A trial to determine the quality of Tasmanian timber destined for overseas markets is underway in the state's north-west. Forestry Tasmania allowed a small group of forest contractors to test the quality of some logs that had been sitting on the Burnie wharf, destined for export to China.

FOR Burnie resident Harry Damen trying to find full-time work on the North-West Coast consumes his entire week.

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas said the council's decision, which was not supported by its Greens members, was not taken lightly.

The University of Tasmania has indicated it is likely to continue operating the Makers Workshop in Burnie in its current format.

TasRail train driver Grant Youd said yesterday the ``club issue'' was a regular occurrence at weekends in Devonport and Burnie.

TOUR OF FACILITIES: Miranbeena clients Clinton Malley and Michelle Hamlyn give Minister for Human Services Cassy O'Connor a tour of the sensory room.

COUNTING THE COST: Student Brodi Lucas would like to see cheaper accommodation as well as a higher youth allowance for those who must live away from home to continue their schooling.

STRONG support for a hotel development near Burnie's West Park has emerged from a survey on the UTAS land deal.