New home and new look for the News

A preview of the new-look New Norfolk News.

THE New Norfolk News has a new home at newnorfolknews.com. The site has been given a complete overhaul just in time for its 12th birthday later this week.

Local developer Andrew Lockman had charge of the project to update the site, which posted its first news report on July 2, 2008.

After 2.3 million page views and 5694 news items, an upgrade was overdue. The new look coincides with a move to the WordPress platform, which is used by Australia’s major media companies for their news sites.

Thank you to all readers and contributors for your support and encouragement, especially those who have followed from the start. Please keep sending your contributions and feedback, and if you haven’t already done so, why not sign up for the daily email news update. Look for the “Follow by email” box at the bottom of the new homepage.

Weekend road weather alert

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania

for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3:45pm on Saturday 27 June 2020.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Saturday and Sunday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 11pm Saturday.

Lions Club news: Meet Troy Bester

Lions Club president Troy Bester.

SOME of Troy Bester’s earliest memories are of being with his grandfather, Sam Wilton, at Lions Club activities.

“I remember, when I was about eight or nine, helping with the chocolate wheel, collecting sheep dung to sell and we went to all the family nights," Troy said. "Back then we used to have Lions family nights every three months.”

Troy was born in Queensland but has lived all but the first two weeks of his life in New Norfolk. He attended St Brigid’s Catholic School, New Norfolk High School and Claremont College. After leaving school, Troy completed an Information Technology Diploma as part of his work in a small IT team with a construction company.

He then worked at a dementia-specific aged care home in Hobart for 10 years, during which time he completed studies to become an enrolled nurse and volunteered with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service. For the last two and a half years Troy has worked as a supervisor for Rayner Transport.

Following the family tradition, Troy became a member of the Lions Club of New Norfolk 18 years ago. “I joined because my grandfather was a member. I grew up around it and enjoyed it. I still enjoy the fellowship and helping people,” he said.

On June 30 Troy will complete a two-year period as president of the club. For much of his time in Lions, Troy has been on the board of directors and held senior positions such as president, vice president, secretary and assistant treasurer with the club.

He has also held several district and zone positions, including Zone Chairman for two years from 2015. His project responsibilities have included Carols in the Park, the print shop, the truck and train, and editing the District Newsletter.

Troy's strong commitment to volunteering in this community motivated him to also join the Derwent Valley State Emergency Service and the Lachlan Fire Brigade five years ago.

Lions continues to be a family affair with Troy’s mum Margaret, also a member and his son, Riley, 18, often working as the Chocolate Wheel runner distributing tickets between the van and the sellers.

In the coming years, Troy would like to see the Lions Club of New Norfolk continue to thrive and grow. “We had 40 members when I joined. It would be nice to see the membership get back to that number.”

If you would like to know more about the Lions Club of New Norfolk contact membership officers Greg Hudson on 6261 1329 or Troy Bester on 0401 064 172. Lions Australia. We serve (more than sausages).

Final flood warning for River Derwent

Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania

Final Flood Warning for the River Derwent

Issued at 12.18pm on Wednesday 24 June 2020

Flood Warning Number: 4

Flooding is no longer expected along the River Derwent. No significant rainfall is forecast for the River Derwent. Strong and dangerous flows will be a hazard over the next couple of days.

River Derwent above River Ouse: River levels are falling along the upper River Derwent, Nive and Florentine Rivers.

River Ouse: No flooding is expected in the River Ouse. The River Ouse at Ashton is currently at 1.81 metres and steady. The River Ouse at Ashton will remain below the minor flood level (2.40 m) during Wednesday. The River Ouse at Ouse will remain below the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Wednesday.

River Clyde: No flooding is expected in the River Clyde. The River Clyde at Bothwell is currently at 1.42 metres and steady. The River Clyde at Bothwell will remain below the minor flood level (2.00 m) during Wednesday. The River Clyde at Hamilton will remain below the minor flood level (2.40 m) during Wednesday.

Tyenna River: No flooding is expected in the Tyenna River.

Styx River: No further flooding is expected in the Styx River.

River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam: No flooding is expected in the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 3.43 metres and steady. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam will remain below the minor flood level (4.10 m) during Wednesday. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 1.88 metres and steady. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains will remain below the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Wednesday.

River Derwent around New Norfolk: No flooding is expected in the River Derwent around New Norfolk. The River Derwent at New Norfolk is currently at 0.68 metres and steady. The River Derwent at New Norfolk will remain below the minor flood level (2.00 m) during Wednesday.

Flood Safety Advice:

• FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au
• Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au
• For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
• For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.

Next Issue: This is a final warning, no further warnings will be issued for this event.

Latest River Heights:
Location Height of River (m) Tendency Date/Time of Observation
River Derwent below Lake St Clair 1.26 Steady 10:00 AM WED 24/06/20
River Ouse at Ashton 1.81 Steady 11:15 AM WED 24/06/20
River Ouse at 3B Weir 1.48 Steady 11:00 AM WED 24/06/20
River Clyde at Bothwell 1.42 Steady 10:00 AM WED 24/06/20
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam 3.43 Steady 11:15 AM WED 24/06/20
River Derwent at Macquarie Plains 1.88 Steady 10:58 AM WED 24/06/20
Tyenna River at Newbury 0.87 Steady 10:15 AM WED 24/06/20
Styx River at Bruces Bridge 1.20 Steady 11:23 AM WED 24/06/20
River Derwent at New Norfolk 0.68 Steady 11:26 AM WED 24/06/20

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts.

Charge your car at Mood Food

An electric vehicle recharging at the Mood Food fast charging
station in New Norfolk this week.

RAPID recharging of electric vehicles is now available at Mood Food in New Norfolk following the recent installation of a 50 kilowatt fast charger.

Supported by a grant from the State Government, the new facility becomes the second official electric vehicle charging station in the Derwent Valley (after the Mt Field National Park visitor centre), although some unofficial sites exist and several tourism businesses offer vehicle charging for their guests.

Despite being operational for only a few days, users have already been posting favourable comments online, particularly in relation to the convenient location.

Mood Food New Norfolk.

Mood Food owner Bennett's Petroleum was last year awarded $35,000 under the State Government's Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart grants program to purchase an install a direct current (DC) fast charging station for public use.

The "Bolt" rapid charger was installed last week, situated on Mood Food's Burnett St boundary. A further EV charging station is under construction at Derwent Bridge by Electric Highway Tasmania.

Update to minor flood warning

The Lachlan Rivulet in flood at New Norfolk today, seen from
the Hobart Rd bridge.

Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania
Minor Flood Warning for the River Derwent

Issued at 3:58 pm on Tuesday 23 June 2020

Flood Warning Number: 3

Minor flooding may develop along River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam from overnight Tuesday into Wednesday and along the Rivers Ouse and Clyde during Wednesday based on forecast rainfall. River levels are easing in the lower Derwent tributaries, including the Tyenna, Styx and Plenty rivers.

A strong east to southeasterly flow is bringing persistent rainfall to eastern, southern and central Tasmania. In the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday widespread rainfall totals of between 30-80 mm have been recorded in the Clyde, Ouse and lower Derwent catchments with an isolated total of 170 mm at Mt Wellington. Mt Wellington has recorded an additional 40 mm since 9am.

Additional widespread rainfall totals of 10-20 mm are forecast for the remainder of Tuesday, with locally higher totals possible. Strong and dangerous flows will be a hazard over the next couple of days.

River Derwent above River Ouse: River rises are occurring along the upper River Derwent, Nive and Florentine Rivers.

River Ouse: Minor flooding may occur along the River Ouse with additional forecast rainfall. The River Ouse at Ashton is currently at 1.49 metres and steady. The River Ouse at Ashton may reach the minor flood level (2.40 m) during Wednesday, with additional forecast rainfall. There are currently no river level observations for the River Ouse at Ouse. The River Ouse at Ouse may reach the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Wednesday, with additional forecast rainfall.

River Clyde: Minor flooding may occur along the River Clyde, with additional forecast rainfall. The River Clyde at Bothwell is currently at 1.05 metres and steady. The River Clyde at Bothwell may reach the minor flood level (2.00 m) during Wednesday, with additional forecast rainfall. There are currently no river level observations for the River Clyde at Hamilton. The River Clyde at Hamilton may reach the minor flood level (2.40 m) during Wednesday, with additional forecast rainfall.

Tyenna River: River levels are easing along the Tyenna River.

Styx River: River levels are easing along the Styx River. The Styx River at Bruces Bridge is currently 1.5 m and falling (below the minor flood level of 2.0 m).

River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam: Minor flooding may occur along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 2.70 metres and steady. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam may reach the minor flood level (4.10 m) overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 1.68 metres and rising. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is expected to remain below the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Tuesday and Wednesday.

River Derwent around New Norfolk: River levels are expected to remain below the minor flood level around New Norfolk. The River Derwent at New Norfolk is currently at 0.85 metres and rising. The River Derwent at New Norfolk is expected to remain below the minor flood level (2.00 m) during Tuesday and Wednesday.

Flood Safety Advice:

• FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au
• Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au
• For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
• For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.

Next Issue: The next warning will be issued by 1pm on Wednesday 24 June 2020.

Latest River Heights:
Location  Height of River (m)  Tendency  Date/Time of Observation
River Derwent below Lake St Clair  1.24  Steady  02:30 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Ouse at Ashton  1.49  Steady  03:15 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Ouse at 3B Weir  1.11  Steady  02:30 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Clyde at Bothwell  1.05  Steady  02:00 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam  2.71  Steady  03:15 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Derwent at Macquarie Plains  1.68  Rising  03:10 PM TUE 23/06/20
Tyenna River at Newbury  0.94  Steady  02:00 PM TUE 23/06/20
Styx River at Bruces Bridge  1.48  Falling  03:39 PM TUE 23/06/20
River Derwent at New Norfolk  0.85  Rising  03:31 PM TUE 23/06/20

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts.

Localised flooding closes sportsfields

Minor flooding of the Lachlan Rivulet has caused the closure
of parts of Tynwald Park at New Norfolk.

MINOR flooding may develop along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam overnight tonight and into Wednesday, and along the Rivers Ouse and Clyde during Wednesday based on forecast rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that river levels are easing in the lower Derwent tributaries, including the Tyenna, Styx and Plenty Rivers. Localised minor flooding has developed throughout the Derwent Valley following persistent rain over the last few days.

With the Lachlan Rivulet presently in flood, large sections of Tynwald Park in New Norfolk have been closed, including the sportsfields, toilets and vehicle access towards the Wetlands at the bottom of the park.

Receding  floodwaters at Turriff Lodge in New Norfolk have
left behind debris that will be cleared away by the council.

Playgrounds at the Hobart Rd entry to the park can still be accessed but the Derwent Valley Council advises that children should be kept away from floodwaters. The use of alternative playgrounds is recommended if possible.

A council spokesman posted on Facebook that work crews had been surveying flood damage across the municipality and will start the clean-up of flood debris and erosion damage to several roads at Molesworth, Lachlan and Magra in the coming days.

"Please report any issues or damage you see to [the] council on 6261 8500, stay away from flood waters and stay safe," the notice concluded.

Click here for the latest flood warning advice.

The Lachlan Rivulet in flood at New Norfolk.

Debris building up at the footbridge between Turriff Lodge and Tynwald Park
at New Norfolk.

The Lachlan Rivulet in flood at Tynwald Park, New Norfolk.

The Lachlan Rivulet in flood at the bridge on Humphrey St, New Norfolk.

The Lachlan Rivulet in flood at Sweetwater, Humphrey St.