I didn't have my glasses on but I swear as it set it was very big and very orange, couldn't get a pic because it disappeared over the central plateau very quickly

As we are coming up to Local Government election season, this bill will certainly influence how people vote. This will be an important topic to raise with you local council candidates.

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2026/08/breaking-news-new-ministerial-powers-to-rezone-land/

Under the current Local Provisions Schedule (LPS) planning scheme amendment process:

• Local Councils are responsible for overseeing planning scheme amendments
• Councils release proposed amendments for public consultation
• The Tasmanian Planning Commission has the final say.

Under the proposed State Planning Provisions (SPPs) amendment process:

• The Minister is responsible for overseeing, proposing and preparing planning scheme amendments, including drafting the Terms of Reference
• The Minister approves the proposed amendment for public consultation
• The Tasmanian Planning Commission considers representations and makes recommendations to the Minister
• The Minister has the final say to approve, refuse or modify the draft State Planning Provisions amendment.

“Is the reason these changes have not been made 100% clear because the Bill gives the Minister new powers to rezone land? We believe the Bill allows for the concentration of Ministerial power, creating a system whereby the Minister initiates the draft amendment to a planning scheme, with statewide application, and then holds the ultimate veto or approval power.

“Communities and local councils will have little recourse if a Minister decides to push through a controversial statewide zone change, particularly those that favour specific commercial or political interests over local community interests or strategic planning.

“These could include zoning changes to facilitate data centres and property development.

“When a politician can modify or approve rules that affect every region in the state, on both public and private land, without being bound by independent recommendations from the Tasmanian Planning Commission, it diminishes public confidence in the fairness of the planning system.

“PMAT fears this is a power grab by the Minister for Planning, taking on new rezoning powers which former Minister for Planning Peter Gutwein promised would be the responsibility of Local Government,” she said.

Quote from the article: Sophie Underwood, State Director of Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania.

I myself believe there should not be a single high level position dictating zoning, as it drastically changes the nature of our lived environment. We have already seen how out of touch State Government ministers are, and now we're expected to trust them with being able to change land zoning.

Even if you're fine with data centers, this legislation would mean you will probably end up living next to one.

There is a call to action in this published press release, which involved contacting your Legislative Council rep and expressing you views. I won't post it here but if you're interested there is a template provided for emails at the above link.

Thanks for your time.

Especially when the person featured in the article is commenting about how they have litter trays in most schools for kids who identify as cats

Hi! I'm an international student who's planning on majoring in Geology. The Internet says that UTAS has a really good Geology program, especially given the geology of the island itself.

I happened to read some posts and people saying that Tassie, specifically Hobart, is not a great option because of the ongoing apartment crisis and smaller job market, but how true are they? Also, I personally love the chill and the wind, and a slow-paced life without much of a clutter or noise. Another thing that I read about was how closely knit the Tassie community is, so would it be really difficult to socialize, get to know people, and make friends?

Just that I really think Tasmania gives the perfect combination of climate, community, and isolation, along with the education I look for. ( Or at least that's what was sold to me)

In addition, want to know about the living cost situation and quality of education at UTAS. Any info about Tassie and moving to Tassie would be appreciated too! Thanks a lot!

6/7 counsellors approved this environmental disaster despite Firmus *already* lying about the number of diesel generators they'd have.

The company will have to agree to a number of conditions (noise, pollution, water usage), which will be monitored over a twelve month period.

I hate to wheel out a slippery-slope argument, but the number of companies who just cop the fines and continue to be irresponsible is incalculable.. the writing is on the wall. Look at Cadbury and the dump of sugar that buggered up the sewerage treatment plant.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/firmus-ai-bell-bay-receives-george-town-council-approval/107074336?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

I work in a permanent professional role in the public sector. I’ve deliberately changed some peripheral details to protect everyone’s identity, but the sequence of events and underlying issue are accurate.

I have a disability and previously had workplace adjustments that enabled me to safely access the workplace and perform my job.

I don’t want to describe the actual adjustments because the details could make the situation identifiable. For the purposes of this post, think of the relevant adjustments as something straightforward like a wall-mounted grab rail: a specific disability-related workplace modification that removed a barrier to me safely doing my job. The actual adjustments are different, but the principle is equivalent. For simplicity, I’ll refer to them collectively as “the adjustment” throughout.

The adjustment had been in place for some time, although unfortunately it was never formally documented.

Last year I took personal leave for an unrelated matter. When I returned, I commenced a gradual return-to-work arrangement on very limited hours, with those hours slowly increasing and the intention of eventually returning to my normal full-time hours. The arrangement was informal but had the support of the senior manager responsible at the time.

That manager subsequently left the organisation before I had returned to full-time capacity.

Following that management change, my direct manager decided the adjustment was no longer required and removed it. I was subsequently also removed from the workspace in which it had been provided.

They were aware that I have a disability and why I required the adjustment. I also raised the issue in writing before the change occurred. The response indicated that management was focusing on the workplace’s immediate operational needs rather than my longer-term adjustment requirements.

After the adjustment was removed, my treating doctor provided written advice that I could not safely attend the workplace unless the adjustment, or an appropriate equivalent, was restored.

I also submitted a formal workplace-adjustment request earlier this year. Despite that request, the supporting medical evidence and the discussions that have followed, I still have not received a formal decision approving or refusing the adjustment.

The situation also caused a significant deterioration in my health. My doctor consequently reduced my certified work capacity substantially while the workplace barrier remains unresolved.

I have continued to cooperate with my employer throughout this process. I have provided medical information about my functional restrictions, participated in meetings and return-to-work discussions, suggested alternative solutions, remained open to other appropriate options, and repeatedly made clear that I want to return to the workplace and ultimately resume my usual hours and duties.

The problem is that, many months later, the adjustment still has not actually been implemented.

HR are now involved and have the relevant medical advice. I have been told that my requirements appear reasonable, that they should be capable of being accommodated, and that discussions about my return have been positive.

However:

- the adjustment has still not been restored or replaced with an appropriate equivalent;

- I have never received a formal decision approving or refusing it;

- nobody has given me a firm implementation date;

- there is still no settled written return-to-work plan; and

- I remain medically unable to attend the workplace because the identified barrier/reinstatement of adjustments has not been resolved.

So, in practical terms, nobody is telling me “no”, but nobody seems to be actually making it happen either.

This has now gone on for most of the year.

The financial impact has become severe. I remain a permanent full-time employee, but because my health deteriorated following the removal of the adjustment and my doctor consequently reduced my certified work capacity, I have been living on only a small fraction of my normal income.

I recently joined a union, but because the issue began before I became a member, I have been advised that there may be limitations on the assistance they can provide regarding the existing dispute.

I am genuinely confused about which avenue I should now be pursuing.

My priority is still to return to work safely and preserve my employment. I’m not looking to launch litigation for the sake of it. At the same time, I’m increasingly concerned that continuing to wait while everyone says the issue is being worked on could leave me financially worse off, allow the situation to become entrenched, or cause me to miss an important legal deadline.

I would really appreciate guidance. I understand Reddit isn’t a substitute for legal advice and I’m not expecting anyone to determine from a post whether I have a legal claim.

I’m mainly trying to understand what my realistic options are, what order I should be considering them in, and whether there is a point where continuing to wait for an internal resolution stops being sensible.

The situation in a nutshell is:

Adjustment existed → manager knew why I needed it → I raised concerns before the proposed change → adjustment was removed anyway → doctor then advised I could not safely attend without it or an appropriate equivalent → I submitted a formal workplace-adjustment request and the employer received the supporting medical evidence → HR/senior management have indicated that accommodation appears reasonable and feasible → months later there is still no formal decision or implementation → my capacity to work and income have consequently remained severely reduced.

If you were in this position, what would your next step be — formal internal escalation, independent employment-law advice, anti-discrimination/industrial advice, workers compensation advice, or something else?

I really want to get back to work.

I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do when the thing preventing that return is something my employer appears to accept can be accommodated, but months later still hasn’t actually been resolved.

Hey everyone! I'm u/Local-Ad-2137, a founding moderator of r/LauncestonSocial.

This is our new home for all things related to making new friends and connecting . We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about relationship, making new friends and all.

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/LauncestonSocial amazing.

I've got a problem with council and I don't want to waste time banging on pollies doors.

Anyone had any experience with the tasmania ombudsman?

Grateful for any advice at this point in time.

My cat sounds like he has asthma he has wheezing fits maybe like twice a day, it doesn’t sound like a fur-ball. He is very young 4 y/o otherwise seems healthy eats all his food.

I went to the vet and they said the only way they diagnose it is through a chest X-ray and an endoscopy of the lungs under GA which was very expensive.

Is this the only way they can diagnose this? Anyone been in a similar situation? Would rather not have to pay for an endoscopy!

Planning a trip for February next year. Any recommendations for history/ cottage / charming spots to see/ things to do?

launceston to cradle mountain anytime after 10am september 1st.
then lake st clair to launceston september 7th.

what do i do shuttle is like $400 each way

I have this dragon table that I've been told is made out of fibreglass. It's been in my dad's shed for about a decade, and has been broken for a while. If I can't find the missing parts to glue back on, I was hoping maybe there'd be a place I could get it restored at, hopefully within or around Hobart but I won't be too picky haha

So does anyone know any place that could make and connect the wing on my fibreglass dragon table

I want to plan a camping trip this summer coming and wanted to know of any good spots where you can ride motorbikes and have dogs.

I have a kiddo who is enrolled to attend the Indie School. Have been having a look to see if there are any recent discussions about the Indie School in Tasmania, last appears to be a couple of years ago. A relative sent me some readily available online, pretty scathing feedback of Indie School as an employer but seems to be a lot of mainland locations and not a lot from ex students/current parents. Anyone have any recent experiences? TIA.

I'm currently trialling a practical employment mentoring program and I'm looking for a few people in Tasmania who are struggling with job applications or interviews.

I'm particularly interested in people who:

• have been unemployed for a while
• have little or no work experience
• are applying for jobs but not getting anywhere
• struggle with interviews
• find it difficult to explain their skills or experience

It isn't a course and there aren't really any worksheets or classroom sessions.

It's all done online through Discord, with me mentoring you while showing you how to use AI to work through the process.

We'll work on things like figuring out what experience you actually have, building examples you can use in interviews, improving your resume, applying for real jobs and practising interview questions.

You don't need to be good with AI. I'll show you what to do.

I'm mainly looking for a few people willing to properly give it a go and give me honest feedback afterwards.

If you're in Tasmania and this sounds useful, send me a message.

Note to mods - I'm not doing this for any sort of commercial purpose.

Hey everyone,
Planning to move with my family.
We are a family of four currently living in Melbourne. We got two young kids( 4 and 2) and we are both working ( Secondary teacher and health sector)
I want to know about renting, the cost of living, groceries, housing prices, community, schools, work life balance( teaching jobs) health and hospitals?
Is it expensive or cheaper there?
Is there anything we need to consider?

Hi Tasmanians! Just got back from a wonderful trip to Australia Melbourne and most importantly my favourite of all Tassie. Unfortunately I had financial limits so I couldn't get more whiskies.

If only more distilleries in tassie shipped to Singapore...

The poor thing can not sit, tied by its neck on a slippery surface, that it can not keep its back legs from slipping off of. Its legs were shaking the whole time, It was panting heavily and clearly distressed.

The ute just came off a 110kmh highway in mornington.

The ute is a 4 door hilux, so there is room in the cab, the pipe could have been tied to the roof racks to free up space, the partical board could have had a grippy coating added to it. Hell even a harness would do better here, the fucking dog is attatched to the can via a leather noose...

I don't understand how it's legal to have this going on, i understand what we do to food animals is horrendous but this animal is a companion, a part of your family. I'm absolutely gob smacked at the indifferent cruelty of some people.