I'm the federal parliamentary bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community was what brought me to journalism initially, and I stayed because the stories kept getting more interesting and more important to people's lives. I've been on the campaign trail with US President Barack Obama, and I've covered Defence, public service and international governance.
I'm the federal parliamentary bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community was what brought me to journalism initially, and I stayed because the stories kept getting more interesting and more important to people's lives. I've been on the campaign trail with US President Barack Obama, and I've covered Defence, public service and international governance.
I'm the federal parliamentary bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community was what brought me to journalism initially, and I stayed because the stories kept getting more interesting and more important to people's lives. I've been on the campaign trail with US President Barack Obama, and I've covered Defence, public service and international governance.
I'm the federal parliamentary bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community was what brought me to journalism initially, and I stayed because the stories kept getting more interesting and more important to people's lives. I've been on the campaign trail with US President Barack Obama, and I've covered Defence, public service and international governance.
A battle is underway to keep a historic hedge near Longford from being torn down and replaced with an overtaking lane on a busy stretch of the Illawarra Road.
Key points:
The hawthorn hedge was established around 1830 and is under threat from plans to widen a local road
Trucks and other traffic are increasingly using the road, as it shaves seven minutes off a trip between the Midland and Bass highways
Native wildlife uses the hedge as cover and it is a barrier to the busy road
Seventh-generation Tasmanian Frances Stewart, and her partner Simon Stewart, want the Northern Midlands Council to help them save the hedge, saying it is culturally and ecologically significant.
Established about 1830, it was featured in artwork by Tasmanian artist John Glover Jnr — the eldest son of renowned landscape artist John Glover — and originals are kept in the National Library of Australia.
"It's very difficult to replace hedges or trees that were planted so long ago," Mr Stewart said.
“It seems like a tragedy.”
The future of the historic hedge is threatened by a proposal to upgrade a key freight route that connects the north and the south of the state.
"It's 200 years of history," she said.
The hawthorn hedge sits perpendicular to the busy road.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
Illawarra Road runs between the Midland and Bass highways and creates a seven-minute shortcut, allowing motorists to avoid switching highways at Prospect on the outskirts of Launceston.
But the road is punctuated by numerous driveways, which are used by slow-moving agricultural vehicles and it lacks wide shoulders found on most modern highways and requires millions of dollars of upgrades to accommodate increasing freight volumes.
A State Growth spokesperson said the link between the Bass and Midland highways was significant for road freight.
State Growth data shows average daily volumes at the Bass Highway end of Illawarra Road are 4,459 vehicles, 21.7 per cent of which are heavy vehicles.
It said environmental and heritage impacts are managed in accordance with legislation and planning schemes and the hedge's future would be given careful consideration during the design stage.
Trucks save about seven minutes off a journey by using Illawarra Road to make the journey between the Bass and Midland highways.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
Trucks use road to save time on highway trip
The Tasmanian Transport Association supports the upgrade to widen the lanes and shoulders of the road between the Longford roundabout and Bishopsbourne Road.
Two heavy vehicle driver rest areas will also be developed near the Longford roundabout.
But the Stewarts argue that increasing the speed and number of trucks on the road will just create further damage.
"Having more trucks going a little bit faster will do incredible damage," Mr Steward said.
The hedge features in artwork by John Glover Jnr, the eldest son of celebrated landscape artist John Glover.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
"Every time there's a heavy rainfall, the road just goes to pack. You're getting bits of road thrown up to hit your windscreen the size of fists.
"It's going to make it even more dangerous. It's going to turn it into a racetrack."
The couple questions why millions of dollars were spent on building the Perth bypass if trucks were just going to use it to get off the highway and use Illawarra Road.
The Stewarts are hoping to secure a heritage listing for the scenic barrier and stop the demolition.
Northern midlands Mayor Mary Knowles says the council needs to upgrade roads but also protect local heritage.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
North Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles is yet to formally support the listing and said it was about balancing the community's infrastructure needs.
"The road is very busy and definitely needs an upgrade," the Mayor said.
"But we need to protect scenic corridors in our area.
"They're very significant, they're the reason people come to visit Tasmania; our lovely heritage, beautiful scenery, and what's there some of it actually needs to stay."
Hedge under surveillance for wildlife
Helen Morgan has been documenting wildlife in the region since 2018 and has installed wildlife cameras at the Stewart’s property.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
Trucks and beautification aside, the hedge may be helpful to native wildlife.
Tasmanian Land Conservancy ecologist Helen Morgan has been monitoring wildlife in the area, and has documented spotted quolls, bandicoots and Tasmanian devils.
As part of a four-year monitoring program, she has installed wildlife cameras to capture any creatures who might be seeking refuge in the hedge.
"In this landscape [there's] a lot of clearing and a lot of native vegetation is gone. Native Wildlife really needs cover, so any cover is helpful for wildlife."
The Stewarts believe the hedge provides an important barrier between the road and a bandicoot refuge they have established alongside their dam.
Native birds are attracted to the dam that is separated by the hedge.(ABC News: Lachlan Bennett)
Ms Stewart said there were also nesting sites for native animals all across the hedge and it provided a barrier to the road.
"My ancestors, Andrew and Hannah Gatenby, came out [to Tasmania] in 1823 and built the Penny Royal corn mill, which then got moved brick by brick into Launceston … so we are very passionate about conserving what our forefathers put in place," she said.
The Star Gold Coast’s soon-to-launch residential apartments, The Star Residences, has introduced an eight-metre-high mural by Gold Coast artist Loretta Lizzio.
The artwork, ‘Into the Light’, depicts a gold-tinted woman floating underwater, which is intended to complement the views from The Star’s new, luxury recreation deck on level 20.
Lizzio, whose work has been featured in the UK, US, France, Canada and Australia, said The Star Residences artwork was inspired by the golden exteriors of the $400 million property and the calm, blue waters of the pool below.
“I do a lot of underwater photography as well as paint females submerged in nature, so I thought this together fitted the brief of elegant and coastal,” she said.
“She’s a sea siren-esque figure, suspended gracefully under the ocean’s surface and depending on the light and the position of the sun, you can see her reflected across the pool.
“I’m thrilled my artwork is being supported in my hometown, and I really hope people like her.”
The property features a number of Gold Coast artists, including a series of three custom paintings by Remy Taylor, as well as other abstract and digital art.
The Star Gold Coast General Manager Hotels and Residences Mark Hodge said engaging and supporting local artists is important to the hotel and its development partners.
“We want people, who stay in the residential apartments, to enjoy and feel part of our Gold Coast culture and community,” Hodge said.
“Art helps to create that connection and the stunning ‘Into the Light’ mural reflects a sophisticated yet laid-back resort lifestyle.
The 53-storey tower comprising The Dorsett Hotel and The Star Residences is nearing completion. It will be the first of two towers developed by The Star Entertainment Group and its consortium partners Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, as part of a $2 billion Gold Coast city-shaping masterplan.
The joint venture partners are also developing the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane.
Internationally acclaimed Brisbane sculptor Lindy Lee was recently announced as the first artist in a multi-million public art procurement project for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane with more Queensland artists soon to be announced.
“We are creating world class destinations so we’re proud to be helping showcase local artists to interstate and international audiences,” Hodge said.
