Tasmanian Business Reporter November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018 

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY 

Opportunity 

knocks at 

Mac Point 

An artist’s rendering of the Macquarie Point 

project illustrates a connection with the 

proposed Northern Suburbs Light Rail Project. 

People key to port vision 

By TOM O’MEARA 

MACQUARIE Point offers a 

once-in-a-generation opportunity 

for Hobart, with the 

residential component key to 

ensuring the mixed-use development 

has vibrancy and life 

day and night. 

That’s the firm view of Tasmanian 

Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry Chief Executive 

Michael Bailey, who said he 

believed the $2 billion plan had 

the capacity to change the capital 

for the better. 

Mr Bailey said the new vision 

for the much maligned 9ha site 

- to be developed over 30 years 

– and in three stages – was a 

step in the right direction. 

It would transform the waterfront 

area in a similar fashion 

to the way Launceston’s City 

Deal and Devonport’s Living 

Cities project would energise 

those cities, he said. 

“The Macquarie Point project 

links local, State and Federal 

Governments to plan something 

that has the potential to 

change Hobart forever,” Mr 

Bailey said. 

“One example is the Antarctic 

and Science precinct, which 

could potentially house both 

IMAS and the CSIRO. 

“Think of the creative, productive 

science hub that would build. 

“Hobart is regarded as a global 

gateway city to Antarctica, so 

this has the potential to create a 

world-leading precinct as well as 

complimenting Tasports’ $60 million 

masterplan for the city’s port. 

“The science precinct could then 

also free up the land on which the 

CSIRO now sits. 

“Imagine that properly developed, 

which is already a conversation 

under way with stakeholders 

like the Tourism Industry Council 

of Tasmania and Destination 

Southern Tasmania.” 

While he says it won’t be a quick 

fix, Mr Bailey said any development 

needed to be underpinned 

by a range of residential developments. 

“The site must be active after 

5.30pm … which is why a residential 

component is so important, if 

not critical, to the whole project,” 

Mr Bailey said. 

“Accommodation was always 

part of the long-term masterplan, 

but it has now been brought forward. 

“There is an argument that we 

could see another major luxury 

hotel at the site but every similar 

development in the world includes 

housing. 

“I would like to see a range 

of residential opportunities, but 

importantly, housing for Tasmanians 

who are working in the City 

of Hobart, as well as a raft of diverse 

options. 

“The more housing we can create, 

the more stock that becomes 

available in Greater Hobart, to 

address the growing need for 

housing of all types – affordable 

and otherwise. 

Mr Bailey said it was imperative 

to have the plan signed off 

ready for construction to begin to 

ensure no slowdown in construction 

across the city. 

“At present in Hobart, we see 

cranes in the sky – completing, 

for example, the Royal Hobart 

Hospital redevelopment and the 

Parliament Square project, where 

work is continuing on the Marriott 

Luxury Collection Hotel and 

plaza adjacent to the Salamanca 

Building. 

“But as the current major projects 

are completed, we will need 

more projects for our construction 

industry.” 

Continued page 2 

Tasmania 

Report 2018 

BOOK NOW 

www.tcci.com.au/TasmaniaReport 

or phone 1300 559 122 

3 December 2018 

Hobart 

Launceston 

Ulverstone 

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2 Tasmanian Business Reporter - NOVEMBER 2018 

NEWS 

New super 

life cover 

partnership 

TASMANIAN industry 

super fund Tasplan has 

announced a new partnership 

with leading 

life insurance provider 

MetLife to deliver innovative 

and affordable 

insurance offerings. 

Tasplan Chief Operations 

Officer Nick Connor 

said the partnership 

with MetLife would 

give members a strong 

offering to help them 

navigate the changing 

landscape of insurance 

inside super. 

“Tasplan is committed 

to delivering excellent 

customer service 

and returns for our 

members and MetLife 

demonstrated its ability 

to form a unique partnership 

that aligns with 

our values and addresses 

the specific needs of 

the fund,” Mr Connor 

said. 

“We know the proposed 

federal budget 

changes to insurance inside 

super adds another 

level of complexity and 

uncertainty and we identified 

the need to partner 

with an organisation 

that can respond to these 

changes and evolve with 

us and our members. 

“We understand the value 

of insurance in superannuation 

and the 

importance of default 

insurance which offers 

our members value 

for money protection. 

“The member experience 

is critically important 

to Tasplan and 

the ability to offer digital 

solutions that make 

the process of both applying 

and claiming fast 

and easy, was also high 

on our priority list.” 

MetLife will be working 

with Tasplan over 

the transition period to 

identify the best way 

forward, taking into 

consideration the expected 

budget changes, 

in order to deliver the 

best possible product 

design for its members. 

The new insurance 

product will be ready to 

go live on July 1, 2019. 

Challenge of an ageing workforce 

TASMANIA’S work 

health, safety and 

wellbeing professionals 

addressed the future 

challenges presented by 

changing work patterns 

and operating environments 

at the 2018 

WorkSafe Conference 

last month. 

From an ageing workforce 

to the ever-extending 

reach of new technologies, 

staying ahead 

of these challenges was 

deemed vital for the 

health and wellbeing of 

all Tasmanian workers. 

University of Melbourne 

Professor of 

Management Peter 

Gahan presented at the 

conference about ageism 

– the phenomena of 

age-based prejudice and 

discrimination, focussing 

on how organisations 

can minimise age-based 

stereotyping to ensure an 

inclusive work environment. 

Prof. Gahan said as the 

population aged across 

the world, ageism was 

becoming a growing 

problem, especially in 

the workplace. 

“Ageism is the idea 

that people are being 

University of Melbourne Professor of Management Peter Gahan 

presenting at the 2018 WorkSafe Conference at the Grand Chancellor in 

Hobart. 

assessed not so much for 

attributes, their skills, or 

their talents, but simply 

because of their age,” 

Prof. Gahan said. 

“That can happen for 

older people, but also 

younger people. 

“Generally older 

people are viewed as 

being warm and good at 

relationships, relatively 

stable and reliable, but 

incompetent – not being 

good at picking up new 

skills, understanding 

new technologies, being 

able to adapt or be 

flexible. 

“The evidence undertaken 

over the last 25 

years or so shows that 

most of those stereotypes 

are not true.” 

The 2018 WorkSafe 

Conference was part 

of WorkSafe Tasmania 

Month, aligning with 

the theme of “Future 

Work, Future Challenges” 

which aimed to 

raise awareness of the 

new health and safety 

issues arising as workplaces 

adapt to shifting 

external and internal 

conditions. 

Since 1996, when 

WorkSafe Month was 

first launched, the number 

of Tasmanians who 

suffered work-related 

injuries or illnesses has 

more than halved, from 

16,167 to 6,941 in 2017. 

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 1 2 , 0 0 0 M O N T H LY 

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to businesses in Tasmania as well as key decision-makers. 

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Opportunity knocks at Mac Point 

From page 1 

The new Masterplan 

includes many elements 

of the 2016 MONA Vision, 

as well as provision 

for the Northern 

Suburbs Light Rail project. 

Mr Bailey said it was 

vitally important that we 

properly celebrate our 

Aboriginal history within 

the development. 

“What I am also 

pleased to see is the retention 

of large areas of 

open space for everyone 

to enjoy,” he said. 

BUSINESS 

YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO SERVICES AND PRODUCTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 

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The Macquarie Point 

project is planned as 

a “people place”.. 

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• Appointments 

• Awards 

• Celebrating 

success 

Share the news 

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Tasmanian 

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community 

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Year of growth for MyState, Bank of us 

Tasmanian Business Reporter - NOVEMBER 2018 3 

NEWS 

Home grown banks’ profits up 

TASMANIA’S two financial 

institutions have 

reported a successful 

year on the books, with 

MyState and Bank of us 

releasing their figures for 

the past financial year. 

Bank of us recorded an 

underlying profit before 

tax of $3.84m up 22 per 

cent, it says was due to 

increased revenue from 

strong loan book growth. 

Chairman Stephen 

Brown said an after-tax 

profit of $1.6m for the 

year was lower than the 

previous year due to the 

one-off costs associated 

with transitioning from 

B&E to Bank of us and 

the benefit from a substantial 

one-off profit on 

the sale of commercial 

property assets last year. 

Mr Brown said Bank of 

us’s loan portfolio grew 

12 per cent to $703m 

while loan approvals shot 

up by 27 per cent to a record 

$215m. 

Meanwhile, MyState 

Limited reported a net 

profit after tax of $31.5 

million for the year up 

4.6 per cent on the year 

before. 

MyState chairman 

Miles Hampton and managing 

director Melos 

My State managing 

director Melos Sulicich 

Sulicich said the strong 

result was supported by 

benefits from its investment 

in digitisation which 

Model Kate Loader shows off an item from emerging designer Sarah Boyadjian. 

Bank of us chairman 

Stephen Brown 

have improved services 

for customers, as well as 

by productivity gains and 

cost management. 

Speaking at the company’s 

2018 annual general 

meeting, Mr Hampton and 

Mr Sulicich again called 

for the Federal Government 

and regulators to 

take positive action to level 

the playing field. 

Mr Hampton said regulation 

tightening bank 

lending had favoured the 

growth of the shadow 

banking sector, with a 

recent estimate suggesting 

it already had 7 per 

cent market share and 

that figure was thought 

to be growing at four to 

five times the rate of bank 

lending. 

Local fashionistas hit catwalk 

MOVE over New York and London, 

Hobart will welcome a new festival in 

November full of fashion, design, insights 

and inspiration from emerging, current and 

expat Tasmanian designers. 

The Hobart region has seen a growth of 

creative industries and events over recent 

years, and now is the time for the local fashion 

industry to put its foot forward into the 

spotlight - with Hobart Fashion Week to run 

from November 20th to 25th. 

Event Director, Nikola Colls said the 

event would become a standout “not only 

for its showcase of design, but for our ability 

to connect various communities into the 

world of fashion and art, with an emphasis 

on place and ideas”. 

HFW will exhibit Tasmania’s creative talent 

in fashion and design, providing inclusive 

and engaging workshops, exhibitions 

and local business events, complementing 

the featured runways to share insight into 

the world behind what you wear. 

The event supporters, City Mission Op 

Shops, City of Hobart and Orenda Studios, 

have helped develop a program of events, 

which fosters creative innovation, inclusive 

community engagement, and sustainable 

opportunities. 

Mr Sulicich welcomed 

the Productivity Commission’s 

finding that 

the larger banks gained 

an unfair funding advantage 

from their “too big 

to fail” status, combined 

with capital benefit from 

advanced accreditation. 

“While regulations require 

all banks to hold 

capital against loans, 

smaller banks hold 56 

per cent more capital 

than larger banks even 

though the risk of issuing 

mortgages is the 

same. 

Consumers are demanding 

the competition 

Picture: Samantha Christian 

that smaller banks provide, 

but we are hobbled 

by capital constraints 

which let larger banks 

lend much more with the 

same capital. 

“We urge the government 

to increase the average 

mortgage risk weights 

which govern larger 

banks’ reserves to reduce 

their lending advantage,” 

he said. 

“Although our result 

shows we are well placed 

to adapt to competitive 

challenges, we believe we 

are unfairly constrained 

by regulations that benefit 

larger banks.” 

Visitors 

keen to 

pedal 

AN Australian-first program 

that helps local 

businesses benefit from 

the popularity of cycle 

tourism is about to gain 

more traction. 

The Tourism Industry 

Council Tasmania released 

the nation’s first 

Bike Friendly Business 

Accreditation Program 

last year, to inform cycling 

tourists where to 

shop, stay and visit, and 

help promote the state as 

being cycling friendly. 

The program is free 

for tourism-accredited 

businesses and TICT 

will provide training and 

resources to assist with 

gaining accreditation. 

About 38,000 visitors 

jump on a bike during 

their visit to Tasmania. 

The Government contributed 

$85,000 to the 

development of the program 

as part of its $6 

million Cycle Tourism 

Strategy. 

WANTED 

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movers and 

shakers 

• Promotions 

• Appointments 

• Awards 

• Celebrating 

success 

Share the news 

with the 

Tasmanian 

business 

community 

Send your news 

snippets, with a 

high quality photo, 

to TBReditorial@ 

fontpr.com.au


THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 

North West Coast 

underpins economy 

Paul 

Arnold 

TCCI Vice Chairman 

THE Tasmanian Economy 

has enjoyed a sustained 

period of positivity. 

The North-West economy 

has suffered its fair 

share of knocks over the 

past decade but continues 

to show its amazing resilience. 

International commodity 

pricing has taken its 

toll on mining and agricultural 

returns over the 

past decade, but as we 

head for 2019, we are 

again on the cusp of very 

bright economic times. 

Our significant competitive 

advantages include: 

• quality of the minerals 

in our ground; 

• quality of our food 

production systems, particularly 

our rich soils; 

• our depth of industry 

sectors, from aquaculture, 

forestry, tourism, 

cropping, beef and dairy; 

• the innovation of our 

advanced manufacturing 

sector; and 

• the strength of our 

communities and their 

resultant workforce – 

and the list goes on. 

The North West does 

some heavy lifting for 

our State Domestic Product, 

as most of our contribution 

comes from primary 

industry. 

It has often been said 

that if we cut off the 

North West 64 telephone 

district, the rest of Tasmania’s 

living standards 

would drop sharply. 

Most of our sectors 

abound with confidence 

and the future is very 

bright indeed. 

Each area that we 

think about, from mining 

start-ups or re-starts, 

manufacturing, dairying, 

beef, cropping, aquaculture, 

tourism, and wind 

farms, all share one thing 

in common – the need for 

a more available and engaged 

workforce. 

Every sector will be 

crying out for hundreds 

of new employees in 

just a few short years, 

and our biggest threat 

is that we are ill prepared 

for what is coming. 

Our population will 

prove inadequate for the 

jobs that are available, 

our people will be insufficiently 

trained for the 

plethora of jobs coming, 

and our towns will not 

have sufficient housing 

for what is on the horizon. 

One might say these 

are good problems to 

have, but the corollary 

of that is that opportunities 

will be lost forever. 

What is needed shortterm 

is a serious plan to 

address all of the training 

and skills deficits, 

lack of people and engaged 

political leadership. 

The TCCI has been 

focussing on a range of 

high-level strategic issues 

impacting Tasmania. 

The annual Tasmania 

Report is a signature 

document that provides a 

clear focus on what is improving, 

what is lacking 

and options to improve 

our collective future. 

The next edition is imminent. 

The TCCI Board is 

currently focussed on 

five key priorities for 

the Tasmanian Economy, 

for the short-term, 

medium-term and longer-term. 

Once determined, 

these will become key 

pillars of advocacy in 

coming months. 

We welcome your input. 

Paul Arnold is TCCI 

North West Director. 

www.tcci.com.au 

Associate degrees 

offer career growth 

LeeWhiteley 

University College 

Chief Executive 

WHEN developing 

the range of University 

College associate 

degrees, one of our 

objectives was to provide 

opportunities for 

people already in the 

workforce to up-skill 

and gain a formal qualification. 

We have been able 

to achieve this by providing 

students with 

practical and relevant 

study experiences, 

with the ability to undertake 

subject assessment 

in the workplace. 

In doing so, students 

have been able 

to apply their learning 

directly to the workplace 

while they study, 

allowing them to put 

what they have studied 

into practice right 

away. 

This has enormous 

benefit both for the 

student and the employer. 

As such, we have 

found that many businesses 

from different 

sectors have come to 

us looking for opportunities 

to support 

their staff into study. 

One such example 

of this is our student, 

James Johnston, who 

is studying our Supply 

Chain Management 

specialisation 

and currently working 

full time as a Storeman 

at the Kingborough 

Council. 

James has been supported 

by his workplace 

throughout his 

studies, as his manager 

is able to appreciate 

the long-term benefit 

for the Council. 

The flexible delivery 

of the course has 

also made it possible 

for James to continue 

working full time 

while completing his 

studies. 

Another way that 

we have been able to 

ensure our associate 

degrees are relevant to 

those in the workforce 

is through regular engagement 

with industry. 

We do this by developing 

our courses 

with industry experts 

and actively involving 

them in the course delivery. 

This is done in a 

range of ways including 

workshops, industry 

placements and real-world 

case studies. 

With applications 

open for 2019, now 

is the time to get in 

touch with our team 

to talk about study 

options for you or 

your staff. Visit utas. 

edu.au/college, call 

us on 1300 363 864 or 

email us on Course. 

Info@utas.edu.au. 

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‘Accidental’ life in economics 

FORMER top public servant 

Donald Challen AM 

FAICD traces the beginning 

of his distinguished 

career in academia, the 

public service and in corporate 

governance back 

to what he calls “a bit of 

an accident, really”. 

When his initial postschool 

plans fell through, 

a friend nudged him towards 

economics at the 

University of Tasmania. 

“My father was a great 

believer in careful due 

diligence and he helped 

me find out a bit more 

about economics. It reinforced 

my thinking that 

it sounded worth having 

a crack at. So, I enrolled 

in economics at the university 

and – within a 

couple of months – it felt 

like someone had turned 

the lights on.” 

Challen believes that 

what he learned has had a 

far-reaching influence on 

his thinking throughout 

his career. 

“They say that economics 

changes your life 

– rewires your brain. I 

think that’s right. Economists 

do tend to think 

a bit differently from the 

rest of society. I was introduced 

to a series of 

concepts that really resonated 

with me – it’s been 

a part of my life ever 

since.” 

After graduating from 

the university with firstclass 

Honours and a 

Master of Economics, 

Challen was 15 years an 

academic economist. 

In 1980, he was instrumental 

in obtaining government 

funding for the 

Centre for Regional Economic 

Analysis (CREA) 

where he was Founding 

Director. He also served 

as Chair of CREA’s 

board for a decade from 

1993. 

After a two-year stint 

at the Office of the Economic 

Planning Advisory 

Council in Canberra, 

Challen returned to Tasmania 

in 1986 as Deputy 

Under-Treasurer at the 

Tasmanian Treasury. 

He was Managing Director 

of the Tasmanian 

Development Authority 

for two years and then 

appointed Secretary of 

the Department of Treasury 

and Finance in 1993. 

He served as Secretary 

for 17 years, working 

with six Premiers and six 

Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner with Donald Challen. 

Treasurers of Liberal and 

Labor governments. 

While he was in the 

public sector, particularly 

throughout his stint 

as head of the Treasury, 

he was asked to serve on 

several boards, both private 

and government. 

Challen says, “That really 

whet my appetite for 

a career as a non-executive 

director…and what 

I’ve been able to do has 

been very rewarding. Initially, 

there were opportunities 

that were thrust 

on me, but it opened my 

eyes to the fascinating 

spectrum of activities 

that you can get involved 

in through a non-executive 

director role.” 

He is currently Chair 

of the Motor Accidents 

Insurance Board and 

is Deputy Chair of the 

board of the Tasmanian 

Symphony Orchestra. 

In 2013 he was made a 

Member of the Order of 

Australia. 

Looking to the future 

of Australian corporate 

governance, Challen 

notes that driving an appropriate 

and positive organisational 

culture will 

be a particular challenge. 

“Cultures are exceedingly 

difficult to change,” 

he says. “We tend to forget 

that human beings 

respond to the incentives 

presented to them. If you 

see behavior that you 

don’t like in groups of 

people or in companies, 

the best way to cure it is 

to change the incentives 

for people. Regulation is 

a very blunt instrument.” 

Organisational culture 

has been brought into the 

spotlight by the Royal 

Commission into Misconduct 

in the Banking, 

Superannuation and Financial 

Services Industry. 

In his Interim Report, 

Commissioner Kenneth 

Hayne AC QC posed 

that further regulation 

would add “an extra 

layer of complexity” to 

an already complex regulatory 

regime. Challen 

agrees. “Individuals respond 

to incentives and 

the cultures of companies 

are the amalgam 

of the behaviours of the 

individuals working in 

them. Thus, in a fairly 

direct way, a company’s 

culture is the result of 

the incentives provided 

to its employees.” 

While Challen’s career 

path has veered to 

take him through such a 

variety of professional 

experiences, his changing 

roles allowed him 

the opportunity to contribute 

throughout the 

development of one of 

Tasmania’s largest infrastructure 

projects: 

the Basslink electricity 

connection. 

He was involved in 

the project’s conception 

as chair of the public 

service steering committee, 

and then sat on 

the Basslink Development 

Board, which 

found the private developer, 

National Grid 

PLC, to design, construct 

and operate the 

project. 

Later, as a member of 

the board of Hydro Tasmania, 

he had a hand in 

the negotiation of the 

contractual arrangements 

between Hydro Tasmania 

and National Grid, which 

were essential for the 

project to proceed. 

As Hydro Tasmania’s 

Battery of the Nation initiative 

investigates future 

expansion of Tasmania’s 

clean energy capacity, 

this piece of infrastructure 

could further embed 

Tasmania’s place in supporting 

energy supply to 

mainland Australia. 

Infrastructure 

surcharge angst 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

surcharges got the attention 

of everyone in 

Tasmania recently with 

the announcement of DP 

World pretty much doubling 

their fees at West 

Swanson terminal from 

January 2019. 

There is a lot of angst 

about this charge as there 

is no control or regulation 

as to what can be 

charged – it is set and issued 

and the fear is that 

once one charges it (or 

even increases it) they 

all will. 

It is a reasonable fear 

as this is has increased a 

number of times over the 

year and on the back of 

the Melbourne port levy, 

peak season charges 

for inward freight, toll 

charges, bio security 

surcharge additions and 

booking slot increases 

you could be forgiven 

for thinking that there is 

a lot of clipping of the 

ticket going on. 

Bringing it back to 

Tasmania, however, in 

relation to the infrastructure 

surcharges, it is important 

to understand 

how our freight is currently 

moving. 

Presently the majority 

of our exported and 

imported international 

cargo goes one of two 

Brett 

Charlton 

Agility Logistics 

ways – direct ex Bell Bay 

on the MSC vessel or via 

Melbourne with the trans 

bass carriers (Tolls or 

Searoad). 

In relation to MSC, 

the cargoes either do not 

touch Melbourne port or 

if they do, they are done 

within the port infrastructure 

– therefore there is 

no port infrastructure surcharge 

applied. 

In regards to the via 

Bass Strait cargoes, the 

infrastructure surcharge is 

billed to the line by their 

nominated cartage company 

and I am advised 

that presently this is being 

absorbed into the terrific 

revenue that the lines are 

making on the terminal 

handling charges (a story 

for another day). 

I will be keeping a close 

eye on this as it evolves, 

but Tasmanian exporters 

and importers need to review 

all options in their 

considerations – including 

where the cargo is received 

in Australian ports 

and the costs associated. 

The Brown Marmorated 

Stink Bug (BMSB) 

risk season is something 

that importers would 

have heard of if they are 

importing from those 

countries at risk. 

Importers are bearing 

costs for fumigation or 

heat treatment as well as 

facing delays in inspections, 

cost burdens of 

demurrage and detention 

and other costs as a result 

of the strict enforcement 

of the protocols for importation 

from countries 

affected by this creature. 

The issue is difficult 

because of our lack of 

infrastructure and the 

costs involved for treatment 

and the volume 

of cargo relevant to the 

BMSB risk – but please 

take some time to look 

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Prevention best cure 

for state’s health woes 

Paul 

Lupo 

CEO, StLukesHealth 

TASMANIANS generally 

consider themselves 

to be in good health but 

when you look at the statistics, 

it tells a different 

story. 

ABS data shows that 

compared with the rest 

of Australia, Tasmania 

has higher rates of chronic 

disease like arthritis, 

asthma, heart disease and 

mental issues. 

It is a sobering reality 

check and leaves little 

wonder why our health 

system is under so much 

stress and why the need 

for private health insurance 

is so strong. 

At St.LukesHealth we 

believe it’s necessary 

to balance the immediate 

requirements for 

treating disease with a 

longer-term sustainable 

solution of preventing 

it, and its pleasing to see 

great work is being undertaken 

by another notfor-profit 

organisation in 

Tasmania, the Royal Flying 

Doctor Service. 

While the RFDS is 

known for its aeromedical 

service in transferring 

patients from remote 

places to hospital, its 

footprint on the ground in 

Tasmanian communities 

is quite large. 

The RFDS runs a Primary 

Healthcare program 

in Tasmania aimed at improving 

both the mental 

and physical health 

outcomes of those living 

with chronic health conditions. 

The service is 

delivered in remote and 

rural communities with 

a holistic approach to a 

person’s well-being. 

In a recent conversation 

with John Kirwan, 

CEO of the Tasmanian 

RFDS, he mentioned 

that there was a significant 

correlation between 

physical health and mental 

health. 

“An example would 

be a middle-age woman 

with depression who is 

taking medication, but 

this medication causes 

her to put on weight, 

causing her to lose more 

self-confidence. Often 

our mental and physical 

health workers will work 

with the client at the 

same time to achieve the 

best possible result,” Mr 

Kirwan said. 

“We are focusing on 

hospital avoidance.” 

The service also runs 

a dental program that 

visits schools and community 

health centres 

allowing those who cannot 

visit regional centres 

with the opportunity to 

receive treatment. 

The demand has been 

significant, with the 

RFDS’ two dental teams 

delivering more than 

1500 treatments to 1200 

patients on the North 

West Coast in the past 18 

months. 

“A lot of it is access, 

they will have a visiting 

service but for a lot of 

people it is about money. 

Getting to a dental clinic 

is hard if both parents 

are working or if there 

are transport issues,” Mr 

Kirwan said. 

Dental disease is one 

of the largest preventable 

hospitalisations in 

Tasmania with the biggest 

cohort being young 

women and children. 

It is one reason why 

St.LukesHealth places 

so much emphasis on its 

RFDS dental assistant Taneesha Torlach. 

Gap Free Preventative 

Dental offer to its members. 

Mr Kirwan said dental 

disease should not 

result in hospitalisations 

because it is almost 100 

per cent preventable and 

if people were in hospital 

as a result, then they 

were taking up valuable 

room for other patients 

with non-preventable 

conditions. 

“Our focus in the (dental) 

program is on prevention 

and promotion 

and educating kids about 

looking after their teeth. 

If we can do that it stops 

some of the longer-term 

problems,” Mr Kirwan 

said. 

While primary care is 

not often seen as an exciting 

area of medicine, 

the focus needs to shift 

from treating disease to 

preventing it. 

Our focus must move 

towards prevention if 

we are to achieve better 

health outcomes for Tasmanians. 


Warning on 

water deal 

Scott 

Bacon 

Shadow Treasurer 

WHILE Labor reluctantly supported the water and 

sewerage changes in Parliament, it did so while 

sounding the warning that the key issues facing the 

sector remain, despite the ownership changes. 

At the last election, Labor proposed a way forward 

for three vital infrastructure projects – Macquarie 

Point, Launceston’s combined system and 

Cameron Bay (to allow for MONA stage 2) – by 

seeking investment from industry superannuation 

funds to break the water and sewerage deadlock in 

the state. 

With the election in the rear-view mirror and 

the Government’s changes passing Parliament, we 

would hope that by the next election due in 2022 

these projects will be well advanced, if not completed. 

We’re concerned that the deal provides not a single 

cent of new money for water and sewerage infrastructure, 

despite funnelling $200 million of taxpayers’ 

money into the business. 

The information memorandum provided to owner 

councils by TasWater shows the business restricted 

by more debt, lower revenue and higher interest 

costs. Specifically, the deal: 

• does not provide a real cost decrease for TasWater 

customers; 

• provides no extra funding for water and sewerage 

infrastructure; 

• violates TasWater’s long-term financial plan, 

moving its interest cover ratio out of recommended 

parameters; 

• creates a governance nightmare with a complicated 

ownership structure and deadlock arrangements; 

• provides no dividend certainty for councils; and 

• erodes the independent role of the Economic 

Regulator. 

The deal delivers $200 million of taxpayers’ money 

into TasWater, but costs the company $236 million 

in lost revenue over the life of the deal. 

The water and sewerage industry is telling me that 

it desperately needs funding for new infrastructure. 

Countless independent reports reaffirm this. 

For all of the criticisms of TasWater over the past 

few years, it has already succeeded in having all 

boiled water alerts removed across the state. 

The challenge for TasWater will be to continue to 

operate with immunity from any political considerations 

from its new owners, the Tasmanian Government. 

Water and sewerage investment must be 

made on the basis of sound business cases and in the 

strategic interests of the Tasmanian economy. 

In-house invitation for safety system input 

A REQUIREMENT of 

the Workplace Health 

Act is to provide a safe 

system of work. 

To ensure that the Person 

Conducting a Business 

or Undertaking 

(PCBU) is able to fill 

these requirements of the 

Act, it is imperative that 

a Workplace Health and 

Safety Management System 

(WHSMS) is developed 

for the workplace. 

You can have a system 

developed by an external 

consultant or develop it 

yourself. 

A system developed in 

house seems to work successfully 

as all the stake 

holders can have input 

ensuring commitment to 

the system. 

A WHSMS consists of 

Craig 

Hortle 

Workplace Health & Safety 

the following: 

• Policy – a simple 

statement that indicates 

your commitment to the 

activity; 

• Procedure – this 

states how you are going 

to implement the policies 

that you have decided on; 

You can have a system 

developed by an external 

consultant or develop it 

yourself. 

• Recording method – 

this how you record the 

information from your 

procedures. 

The policies that 

should be included in all 

WHSMS can be: 

• An overarching WHS 

policy; 

• An induction policy; 

• A safe system of 

work policy; 

• An incident management 

policy; 

• An emergency situation 

policy. 

Depending on the type 

of work your business 

undertakes and your 

workplace, there will be 

a number of other policies 

that you will have 

to implement to ensure 

compliance under the 

legislation. 

The areas out of the 

Act a WHSMS will help 

you comply in are as follows: 

3) Without limiting 

subsections (1) and (2), 

a person conducting a 

business or undertaking 

must ensure, so far as is 

reasonably practicable – 

(a) the provision and 

maintenance of a work 

environment without 

risks to health and safety; 

and 

(b) the provision and 

maintenance of safe 

plant and structures; and 

(c) the provision and 

maintenance of safe systems 

of work; and 

(d) the safe use, handling 

and storage of 

plant, structures and substances; 

and 

(e) the provision of 

adequate facilities for 

the welfare at work of 

workers in carrying out 

work for the business or 

undertaking, including 

ensuring access to those 

facilities; and 

(f) the provision of any 

information, training, 

instruction or supervision 

that is necessary to 

protect all persons from 

risks to their health and 

safety arising from work 

carried out as part of the 

conduct of the business 

or undertaking; and 

(g) that the health of 

workers and the conditions 

at the workplace 

are monitored for the 

purpose of preventing illness 

or injury of workers 

arising from the conduct 

of the business or undertaking.




Strong interest in state energy projects 

Guy 

Barnett 

Minister for Energy 

THERE is a strong 

business interest in Tasmanian 

energy projects, 

with our state’s business 

leaders recently gathering 

to discuss renewable 

energy projects at a 

range of forums hosted 

by the Tasmanians 

Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry. 

The forums were 

focused on Battery of 

the Nation and Project 

Marinus, and how such 

projects can benefit Tasmanian 

businesses and 

industries. 

Also being discussed 

were ways that businesses 

can prepare themselves 

to benefit from 

renewable energy sources 

and get involved with 

projects and contracts on 

the table. 

These forums high- 

light the interest in Tasmania’s 

energy future. 

We have what the rest 

of the country want – 

low cost, reliable, clean 

energy. 

The Government is 

working hard to improve 

the lives of Tasmanians. 

We have an ambitious 

target of achieving the 

lowest regulated power 

prices in the country by 

2022, and becoming fully 

self-sufficient in the 

same timeframe. 

Our plans for further 

interconnection across 

Bass Strait, new pumped 

hydro schemes, significant 

upgrades to existing 

Hydro facilities and 

wind are also transformative 

opportunities for 

Tasmania that represent 

thousands of potential 

jobs. 

Foreign owners 

good business 

Sally 

Chandler 

Tradestart Adviser 

THE Department of Foreign 

Affairs and Trade 

has just published its report 

on the economic activity 

of foreign owned 

businesses in Australia 

during 2014-2015 and I 

quote directly from that 

report. 

One of the limitations 

with this report is that the 

reference year is already 

three years old. This is 

due to the time it takes 

for the Australian Bureau 

of Statistics (ABS) to get 

access to the detailed 

ATO Business Income 

Tax (BIT) database. 

The 2015-16 ATO BIT 

dataset will be delivered 

to the ABS in early 2019. 

The classification used 

to denote ‘foreign ownership’ 

is those businesses 

with foreign ownership 

greater than 50 per 

cent equity. 

The research showed:- 

• In 2014-15, there 

were 9,946 majority foreign-owned 

operating 

businesses in Australia. 

• There were also 

1,208 Australian-owned 

companies with minority 

foreign ownership. 

• Foreign-owned businesses 

in Australia had 

assets valued at $1.9 

trillion in 2014-15, employed 

966,200 persons 

and paid wages and salaries 

valued at $67 billion. 

They made operating 

profits of $50 billion 

and contributed 11 per 

cent of total business tax 

revenue. 

• Foreign-owned businesses 

on average also 

paid higher wages and 

salaries than Australian-owned 

businesses 

and produced more output 

per employee. 

• These businesses 

contributed $222 billion 

in industry value added 

to the Australian business 

economy (excluding the 

Financial and Insurance 

Services industry which 

could not be measured), 

representing one fifth of 

total Australian business 

output. 

• These businesses recorded 

sales of goods 

and services of $770 

billion including an estimated 

$95 billion ex- 

TCCI CEO Michael Bailey, left, Hazell Bros Managing Director Geoffrey Hazell, Minister Guy Barnett, UPC Renewables CEO 

Anton Rohner, TasNetworks CEO Lance Balcolme and Hydro Tasmania CEO Stephen Davy. 

ported. 

• Foreign direct investment 

in Australia (both 

majority and minority 

ownership) supported 

the employment of nearly 

1.2 million persons (or 

1 in 10 jobs in Australia). 

The top five economies 

owning businesses 

in Australia were the 

USA at number one then 

Japan, the UK, Switzerland 

and China in that order. 

Next were Germany, 

Netherlands, France, 

Canada and Hong Kong 

at number 10. 

The industry with the 

highest number of total 

foreign owned assets 

was overwhelmingly the 

services industry, which 

includes Finance and Insurance, 

at 72 percent of 

the total. 

Next was Mining at 

16.9 percent, Manufacturing 

at 10.7 percent and 

Agriculture at a small 0.5 

percent. 

Foreign-owned businesses 

employed 6,000 

Foreign direct 

investment in 

Australia supported 

the employment of 

nearly 1.2 million 

persons 

persons in the Agriculture, 

forestry and fishing 

industry, 40,500 persons 

in the Mining industry, 

141,300 persons in the 

Manufacturing industry 

and 778,400 persons in 

the Services industries. 

This new study highlights 

the growing importance 

of foreign-owned 

businesses to the Australian 

economy. 

It shows that foreign-owned 

businesses 

are an important means 

for foreign companies to 

provide goods and services 

to the Australian 

market. They made operating 

profits of $49.5 

billion and contributed 

11.3 per cent of total 

business tax revenue. 

For international 

trade and investment 

assistance contact the 

TCCI’s TradeStart Adviser, 

Sally Chandler, 

at sally.chandler@tcci. 

com.au or phone 

1300 559 122. 

Rules for ‘silly season’ 

IT IS getting to that 

time of the year again. 

Some might refer to it 

as the dreaded festive 

silly season. 

As an employer 

there are a few things 

to be mindful of when 

the end of the year is 

rolling around including 

but not limited to: 

End of year shut 

downs 

The National Employment 

Standards 

found in the Fair 

Work Act 2009 does 

not provide for an 

annual close down 

but there may be provisions 

in the relevant 

Modern Award or 

Enterprise Agreement. 

Be mindful of 

any obligations they 

impose on you, such 

as providing notice of 

the close down and 

the like. 

Interaction with 

other leave 

If staff are taking 

annual leave in the 

period you need to be 

mindful of any other 

forms of leave that 

may also come into 

play such as personal 

leave, public holidays, 

parental leave, 

community service 

leave and/or compassionate 

leave. 

Refusal to work on a 

public holiday 

Abbey 

George 

Workplace Relations 

The Fair Work Act 

2009 (s114) states 

that an employer may 

request an employee 

to work on a public 

holiday if the request 

is reasonable. Likewise, 

an employee 

can refuse to work on 

a public holiday if the 

employer’s request is 

not reasonable. If you 

find yourself in this 

situation please contact 

us for advice. 

End of year parties 

and work functions 

While it may be a 

headache to organise, 

an end-of-year party 

or function can often 

be seen as a way that 

employers can thank 

their staff for another 

year of hard work and 

also allow staff to interact 

in a social setting. 

Some employers 

have taken the approach 

of using other 

forms of recognition 

such as vouchers or 

hampers, others elect 

the “family friendly” 

approach of barbecues 

and lunches 

during the day. What 

works best depends 

on you, the business 

and your staff. 

Before the event: 

• send a friendly 

staff email outlining 

what is/isn’t acceptable 

and refer to relevant 

policies; 

• if you are going to 

serve alcohol ensure 

it is served responsibly 

(you may want 

to hold the function 

at another venue in 

which case the venue’s 

RSA kicks in); 

• ensure plenty of 

food and drinks are 

available to everyone; 

• check that your 

insurance covers the 

event. 

The event: 

• have a clear start 

and finish time; 

• place time limits 

on the supply of alcohol; 

• make it clear to 

staff that post-event 

activities are on their 

own time; 

• use taxis, shuttles, 

public transport 

and/or non-drinking 

drivers to make sure 

everyone gets home 

safely after the party. 

For more information contact the Helpline on 1300 765 123 or the 

TCCI on 1300 59 122 or workplacerelations@tcci.com.au

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06460-39_18


NEWS 

Ambassadors for social change 

BY KEIRRAN 

DOWNHAM 

WHY did you go into 

business? 

Every business owner 

has taken risks, worked 

long hours and developed 

opportunities to create 

a better life - whether 

for share-holders, themselves, 

or their family. 

Operating on an island 

that has limited population 

growth means we 

have to be more innovative, 

flexible, determined 

and passionate to make 

our businesses financially 

viable and create longevity. 

Still, many Tasmanian 

companies have gone on 

to become national institutions. 

David Walsh’s 

MONA is a case in point. 

While we can claim 

success in business leadership, 

our community 

values are at astonishing 

lows. 

Tasmania has the highest 

rate of domestic violence 

nationally. 

One in three women, by 

the age of 50, will be impacted 

by violence - physical, 

sexual or other. 

Police attend more 

than 5500 incidences per 

annum. 

Women’s shelters 

and support services 

are inundated and overwhelmed 

by this growing 

trend. 

Thankfully the Tasmanian 

Government, and 

every state and territory 

counterpart, has implemented 

cultural values 

for their organisations to 

ensure the protection and 

Andrew Hart, left, Dave Gibbons, Michael Wilson, Paul Fallon and Keirran Downham. 

support of their staff and 

families. These values 

have been implemented 

through White Ribbon 

Workplace Accreditation. 

It’s now been rolled 

out to over 600,000 employees 

nationally. 

The program challenges 

organisational values, 

ensuring gender equity 

and fairness sits at the 

core of all business practices. 

Gender inequity is at 

the heart of all violence 

against women. 

How will this help? 

It’s no different to how, 

over a generation, we 

have changed our views 

on and practices for the 

environment. 

I remember when most 

houses had a backyard 

incinerator and we would 

burn our rubbish, occasionally 

throwing a tyre 

on the backyard bonfire. 

In the late 80s/early 

90s the government realised 

this was having a 

hugely detrimental effect 

on the environment. 

It wasn’t sustainable 

so they changed their 

own internal values. 

They started recycling, 

and implemented responsible 

use of energy. 

Changing government 

practices brought about 

positive change protecting 

the environment. 

Private industry 

was 

required to 

adhere to the 

same values in 

order to win 

government 

business. Two 

decades later 

we all follow 

suit. 

Tasmania’s 

now the clean, 

green envy of 

Australia. 

We have developed 

some 

of the strongest 

environmental 

rules and regulations 

nationally. 

Our public 

smoking laws 

are some of the toughest 

in the world. 

It’s so refreshing to see 

the Tasmanian government 

inwardly reflecting 

on community standards 

to bring about positive 

change for our children 

and grandchildren. 

I believe their current 

process and stewardship 

on violence will 

bring about much needed 

change. History tells us 

this works. Imagine if 

they mandate that all private 

businesses share the 

same values. I’m sure the 

private enterprise community 

would see the 

value in this. 

In 2017 I took my companies 

through the White 

Ribbon Workplace Accreditation 

program. It is 

one of the best business decisions 

I have ever made. 

We have a responsibility 

to provide leadership 

within our communities. 

We have freedom to implement 

change faster and 

more efficiently than government 

agencies, so why 

are we waiting? 

November 23 is White 

Ribbon Day. 

What better time to 

start? Join me. 

www.youtube.com/ 

watch?time_continue=272&v=6J6dOlrgq-Q 

* Keirran Downham is 

Managing Director Fuji 

Xerox Business Centre 

Tasmania, The Print 

Division and Acrodata. 

Keirran is a White 

Ribbon Ambassador 

and sits on the board of 

The Hobart Women’s 

Shelter. 

BIG ON LEARNING, 

BIGGER ON EXPERIENCE 

STUDY AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE TO 

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. 

With a passion for life-long learning and professional development, 

Ulverstone’s Stacey Connelly is on her way to success through the 

University College. 

“I believe the associate degree can give me the theoretical understanding 

and practical tools to be successful in my chosen career and to become a 

valuable asset to my workplace. 

“I am already finding University College very rewarding. I am putting the 

skills I’ve learnt into practice in my workplace, so I can already see the 

benefits from my study.” 

The new two-year associate degrees offered by University College are ideal 

for students who are already working in industry, as they can be studied 

full-time or part-time. 

To find out more about studying an associate degree or supporting 

your staff to undertake study, visit utas.edu.au/college or 

phone 1300 363 864. 

CRICOS Provider Code (University of Tasmania): 00586B.


NEWS APPOINTMENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Organic path bears fruit 

A TASMANIAN apple 

orchard has been announced 

the inaugural 

recipient of the $30 million 

Woolworths Organic 

Growth Fund. 

The grant from Woolworths 

will form part of 

a $10m investment by 

Huon Valley business 

R&R Smith, to increase 

production of organic apples 

in Australia and put 

a focus on the development 

of an organic apple 

variety not well known in 

Australia. 

Owner Andrew Smith 

said his Grove farm had 

been supplying certified 

organic apples to Woolworths 

since 2006. 

“Our relationship with 

Woolworths has been 

crucial in our growth to 

date, and critical in the 

future of our business,” 

Mr Smith said. 

“Ultimately, we are 

working together to 

make organic fruit more 

available for Australian 

customers and we are 

pleased to be the first recipient 

of the new Organic 

Growth Fund.” 

The orchard will grow 

TELSTRA is urging Tasmanians 

to support successful 

women in business 

across all industries, 

by nominating them in 

the 2019 Telstra Business 

Women’s Awards. 

Nominations are now 

open for the awards, 

which shine a light on 

women who have challenged 

the status quo, 

done things their own 

way and achieved success 

in business. 

Telstra Business Women’s 

Awards Ambassador 

and Chief Operations Officer, 

Robyn Denholm, 

said that the program, 

a new apple which is 

called Kizuri in some 

markets around the 

world. 

“We are working with 

Woolworths to develop 

a variety name that will 

resonate with our organic 

customers in Australia,” 

Mr Smith said. 

“At R&R Smith we 

are focussed on growing 

now in its 24th year, 

continued to recognise 

outstanding women who 

were transforming business. 

“The Telstra Business 

Women’s Awards exist 

because the achievements 

of Tasmanian 

women in leadership deserve 

to be celebrated. 

“We shine a light on 

those who, by undoing 

traditional approaches to 

business, are setting examples 

to inspire others,” 

Ms Denholm said. 

“Anyone can nominate 

a business woman, and 

if you are one yourself, 

fruit that has a minimum 

human interference and 

yet still gives that great 

eating experience for 

our customers. We have 

searched the world to 

find new apple varieties 

that achieve this via organic 

farming.” 

The Woolworths fund 

will allocate grants and 

interest-free loans over 

we encourage you to enter 

the program, stand in 

the spotlight and be recognised 

for your achievements.” 

Participation in the 

Telstra Business Women’s 

Awards starts with 

a nomination. Nominees 

then submit a completed 

online entry form. Nominations 

are open until 

November 8. 

To nominate yourself 

or an inspiring 

business woman you 

know, visit: telstrabusinesswomensawards. 

com/nominate 

the next five years to 

Australian organic fruit 

and vegetable growers 

looking to expand their 

operations and those 

keen to become part of 

the burgeoning organic 

industry. 

Farmers will also have 

contracted purchase volumes, 

providing them 

with the certainty of 

Woolworths Supermarkets 

Head 

of Produce Paul 

Turner, left, Heritage 

Bank CEO 

Peter Lock, Woolworths 

Supermarkets 

MD Claire 

Peters, Prime 

Minister Scott 

Morrison, Senator 

Eric Abetz and 

orchardist 

Andrew Smith at 

the fund launch. 

longer-term supply of 

organic fruit and vegetables 

to Woolworths. 

Woolworths Supermarkets 

Managing Director, 

Claire Peters said 

demand had been growing 

at a rate of 20 per cent 

year on year over the past 

five years in the organic 

produce category. 

“We can help farmers 

adopt innovative approaches 

that will enable 

the range of organic fruit 

and vegetables on offer 

to grow, making it more 

readily available and affordable 

for customers,” 

she said. 

Women in awards spotlight 

2017 Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of 

the Year, CSIRO Director of National Collections 

and Marine Infrastructure Toni Moate. 

IN BRIEF 

Westbury market goes super 

THE first sod has been turned on a $5 million retail development 

at Westbury. The 1600sqm building is expected 

to be completed by July 2019. 

The new supermarket will be owned and operated 

by local Judy Fellows, who has helped Westbury locals 

fill their pantries for about 30 years at the William Street 

IGA. 

Ms Fellows said the new development had been in the 

pipeline for some time as the existing facility was not big 

enough to meet demand anymore. 

The nine-month construction phase will employ 20 to 

30 local tradespeople. 

New Energy Board head 

DR Mary O’Kane has been appointed Chair of the Aurora 

Energy Board. 

Energy Minister Guy Barnett said Dr O’Kane had a 

wealth of experience having served on boards and committees 

in the public and private sector, particularly relating 

to energy, engineering, ICT and research. 

Mr Barnett also acknowledged the efforts of outgoing 

Chair, Caryle Demarte, who has been in the role since 

May 2016. 

Activities acknowledged 

ROKEBY’S Eastside Activity Centre has been awarded 

the national Inside Sport Clubbies Award for Best Facility 

across Australia. 

EAC owner Felicity Harvey said it was a huge 

achievement for the family-run centre. 

“We are so proud to have been given this national 

recognition for our centre after establishing it six years 

ago,” she said. 

Breakfast a bloke’s mission 

HOBART City Mission and Men’s Resources Tasmania 

will host an International Men’s Day fundraising breakfast 

on Monday, November 19. 

The Blokes BBQ Breakfast aims to encourage conversation 

between men in the Southern Tasmanian community, 

while raising funds for Hobart City Mission’s DIY 

Dads Program and Men’s Resources Tasmania. 

The event at the Goods Shed, Mac Point, will feature a 

live acoustic set from Tassie band, Luca Brasi and will be 

attended by Tassie-born Ironman Champion, Matt Bevilacqua. 

www.blokesbbqbreakfast.com.au 

New Optus territory chief 

FORMER RSPCA chief executive Peter West has been 

appointed Territory General Manager (Tasmania) for 

Optus, 

“To lead Optus in such a key market is an exciting opportunity,” 

Mr West said.“My immediate priority will be 

to understand from our customers what our greatest challenges 

and opportunities are.” 

Mr West is also a former Deputy Director at the Tasmanian 

Museum and Art Gallery, a previous winner of 

the Australian Marketing Institute’s Tasmanian Marketer 

of the year Award. 

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EVENTS NEWS 

Helen Douglas, left, Chantel Crossman and Caroline Gray – all of Wicking 

Dementia Centre. 

Heather Francis of RHH Research Foundation, 

left, with Melissa Lukianenko and Paul Lupo of 

St.LukesHealth. 

What: Re:Fresh Hobart (presented 

by St.LukesHealth and 

RHH Research Foundation) 

Where: Hadley’s Orient Hotel, 

Hobart 

When: Wednesday, October 17 

Jemina Stuart-Smith of UTAS and Tasmanian 

Road Runners, left, Alistair Lynch of Healthy Business 

Performance Group and Natasha Wiggins of 

UTAS and Tasmanian Road Runners. 

Grayson Genders, left, and James Symmons of 

St.LukesHealth. 

LEFT: Fiona 

Svamvur and 

Debbie Street 

of Hobart Day 

Surgery, with 

John Elkerton 

of Health Care 

Software. 

RIGHT: Allan 

Dickins of 

Healthy Business 

Performance 

Group 

with Helen 

Cowley of 

St.LukesHealth 

LEFT: Ben 

Canny of UTAS 

School of Medicine, 

Alison 

Venn of Menzies 

Insitute 

for Medical 

Research and 

James Vickers 

of Wicking Dementia 

Centre. 

RIGHT: Coral 

Warr and Lisa 

Foa of UTAS 

School of 

Medicine, with 

Alison Canty 

of Wicking Dementia 

Centre.


PROPERTY MATTERS 

Human drivers in real estate 

Scott Newton 

Property Matters with 

Knight Frank 

Knight Frank Department Manager for 

Residential Sales, Matthew Chugg, gives 

an update on the Tasmanian residential 

market and the "human factor”. 

THE financial gains Tasmania 

is experiencing in the residential 

real estate market has 

resulted in a statewide median 

house price increase of 

7.2%, with median prices in 

Hobart rising by a substantial 

15%. Why is this so? 

In recent years, Tasmania 

has been “discovered” 

by mainlanders, and flowing 

from this, a rediscovery and 

renewed appreciation by local 

residents for their home 

state. 

With its many attractive 

features including climate, 

lifestyle options, improved 

job prospects and festivals 

all year round, not to mention 

the natural beauty, we are 

now proud to call Tasmania 

home. 

Consequently, this has 

shifted the “supply” drivers, 

as housing stock levels have 

reduced by about 16 per cent 

from this time last year. 

With regards to the “demand” 

drivers, there are a 

few factors contributing to 

the increase. 

Firstly, many ex-pats are 

returning home and often 

with their children, as Tasmania 

is seen as a great place to 

raise a family. 

Due to the much-improved 

economic climate, it is now a 

viable option for those seeking 

a change in lifestyle and 

to take advantage of the great 

schooling options on offer. 

Secondly, the affordability 

of real estate in Tasmania 

makes for an attractive investment 

opportunity, further 

driving up demand. 

Home sweet home ... more and more people are proud to call Tasmania home. 

It is well known that prices 

in the Sydney and Melbourne 

markets are still out of reach 

for many home owners and 

investors. 

In Hobart, rental returns 

are very strong with the median 

now $425 per week for a 

three-bedroom house. 

With vacancy rates at an 

all-time low of 1.9 per cent 

statewide, this has seen the 

return of astute investors 

Improved accessibility to 

and from Tasmania is another 

factor impacting demand for 

Tasmanian property. 

There are now direct flights 

to all major Australian capital 

cities most days of the week. 

Many people now commute 

from Tasmania to Sydney or 

Melbourne for work, returning 

to the island for the weekend. 

In addition, a changing 

work environment and ever-improving 

technology 

has allowed people to work 

remotely from almost anywhere, 

especially from home, 

reducing the need or frequency 

of commuting. 

Looking further afield, Tasmanian 

real estate has also 

caught the eye of international 

purchasers. 

The level of interest from 

overseas from both purchasers 

wanting to live in Tasmania, 

and those looking to 

invest in property, is unprecedented. 

About 22 per cent of all 

buyers now come from interstate 

or overseas. 

The shortage of stock on 

the market and the increased 

interest from local, interstate 

and international purchasers 

and investors has created the 

perfect “supply and demand” 

storm for a very healthy and 

sustainable property market. 

PROPERTY VIEW 

NOVEMBER 2018 

For lease 

BESPOKE, BOLD AESTHETIC 

199 Macquarie Street, Hobart 

Creative, comfortable, “A” grade office conversion 

featuring: bespoke steel and glass, creative 

lighting, state of the art climate control, electronic 

sit-stand desks, playful breakout areas and 

expansive natural light. 

• 3 Suites available: 320 sqm, 271 sqm & 70 sqm 

• The building owner’s design team can work 

with you, to tailor an office that shows off your 

company and style while encouraging health 

and productivity 

• End of trip facilities, bike storage area and onsite 

car parking 

g 

For sale by expression of interest 

BEACH HOUSE RETAIL INVESTMENT 

Lot 16, 646 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay 

• The ground floor café bar is part of a strata 

title for the Beach House Apartments, 

constructed in 2001, and contains an area 

of approximately 303 sqm (Lot 16). 

• Lease renewed in January 2018 for five years 

• Current annual rent is $109,200 plus GST 

• Business premises in excellent condition with 

internal and external seating for 105 people, 

and has a great outlook over the park & beach. 

• The business has longevity and the investment 

has been held by the original owners for the 

last 18 years. 

Outline indicative only 

Richard Steedman 0408 559 046 

Hayden Peck 0412 766 395 

View at KnightFrank.com.au/4332686 

For sale by expressions of interest 

“WEEROONA” NORTH HOBART 

326 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart 

Set in a superb location a stones throw from the 

North Hobart culture and restaurant strip. 

• Built circa 1910 this beautifully presented free 

standing propery offers an excellent investment 

option with ample room for development (STCA) 

• Land size: 885sqm Build size: 300sqm (approx) 

• Currently leased as individual consulting rooms/ 

offices and 60 sqm yoga studio, 8 tenancies 

with 6 month short term rolling leases 

• Current approximate income of $59,000 net pa 

• Former DA application approval for studio and 

apartment at rear of property 

Matthew Wright 0458 290 588 

Hayden Peck 0412 766 395 

View at KnightFrank.com.au 

John Blacklow 0418 128 735 

Scott Newton 0409 186 261 

View at KnightFrank.com.au/4459555 

For Sale for $15,000,000 

LANDMARK OFFICE BUILDING 

144 Macquarie Street, Hobart 

• 12 floor, A grade office building 

• Energy efficient with NABERS rating of 4 stars 

• 5,684 sqm lettable area with 19 car spaces 

• Approx. net income of $1.43 million pa 

• Fantastic views and natural light 

• Substantial capital upgrades completed to 

lighting, lifts and mechanical plant 

• Opportunity to add significant value through 

leasing or future asset conversion 

• High quality State Government lease covenant 

• In conjunction with Edwards Windsor RE; 

Tim Johnstone 0418 395 157 

Richard Steedman 0408 559 046 

Scott Newton 0409 186 261 

View at KnightFrank.com.au 03 6234 5500 

5 Victoria Street, Hobart 54 Cameron Street, Launceston Shop 8, 48-54 Oldaker Street, Devonport 

P: 03 6220 6999 P: 03 6333 7888 P: 03 6424 3568

Tasmanian Business Reporter November 2018

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