BITS AND PIECES

rubbish is going into the correct bin. Also, have proper kitchen crockery and utensils that can be washed up and use refillable cleaning products.

• Avoid single-use plastic at home: use plastic free toiletries and refillable cleaning items. Invest in reusable containers for your pantry and for storing leftovers in place of cling wrap. Switch to plastic free hygiene items like shampoo bars where possible and jump on the ‘naked bin’ idea by simply washing it out or lining it with paper instead of plastic bin liners.

Overland And Three Capes Track Hikes Hiked

Fees for the iconic Overland Track and Three Capes Track have risen significantly this month. The Overland Track will now cost $285 for adults (up from $200) and it will now cost an adult $595 to walk the Three Capes Track (up from $495). The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service stated the fee increases were necessary to cover increasing maintenance costs in remote and harsh landscapes. It’s the first price rise for the Overland Track since 2012, and the first for the Three Capes since it opened in 2015.

Separate Bike Lanes Coming To The Hobart Cbd

Hobart is getting its first separated cycle lanes along sections of Argyle, Campbell, Liverpool and Bathurst Streets. The new trial lanes will connect the existing onroad bike lanes on Argyle and Campbell Streets, the Rose Garden Bridge and Queens Domain, the InterCity Cycleway and Sullivans Cove. Alison Hetherington, from Bicycle Network Tasmania, said more commuters would choose to ride if they felt more safe on the roads. “We know the majority of the population would consider riding instead of driving, but they don’t want to mix with traffic,” Ms Hetherington said. “Creating cycleways that are physically separated from traffic helps more people feel confident to ride…we need this sort of cycling infrastructure if more of us are going to make that choice.”

The trial bike lanes will sit between the kerb and parking spaces, with some locations requiring a peak-hour clearway lane, meaning parking will not be allowed at times. Some parking spaces will be removed. The $1.725 million trial is co-funded by the Australian Government’s Road Safety Program and the Tasmanian Government’s Vulnerable Road User Program and will start later this year, to be completed in 2024.

IT’S A WRAP FOR PLASTIC THIS JULY

Did you know we create around 400 million tons of plastic waste globally each year and that a huge 91% hasn’t been recycled? Whether you’re just getting started or an avid plastic-avoiding veteran, reducing the amount of single-use plastics from our lives is a good thing. Plastic Free July is a global challenge that provides tips, tricks and resources for people wanting to help reduce plastic pollution. Here are a few tips on how you can remove plastic from your life this July:

• Make simple swaps: use a BYO cup for your daily coffee, BYO shopping bags and containers for groceries and have a reusable water bottle handy. Also consider not buying fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic and if there are bulk wholefoods options available.

• Avoiding single-use plastic at work: avoid paper where you can by going digital and do bin audits to make sure

Whether you start with a few tips or go all in, every little bit helps when it’s on a global scale. To check out the Plastic Free July Challenge or to find out how you can get involved, head to www.plasticfreejuly.org.

Hip Hip Hooray For Hamlet

Congratulations to Hobart social enterprise cafe Hamlet, where staff have recently celebrated not only the cafe’s 7th birthday, but also their 400th graduate. Situated on Molle Street where the Hobart rivulet walking track meets the city, Hamlet provides the base for two dedicated training programs that provide cafe and kitchen skills to empower Tasmanians who are experiencing barriers to employment…plus they serve delicious food made from local, seasonal produce. Here’s cheers!

Stop The Tassie Puppy Farms

Tasmania’s Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) say more needs to be done to stop puppy farming in Tasmania. The RSPCA is receiving many reports of puppy farms, puppy flipping, and puppy scams and are calling on the state government to get in line with mainland states when it comes to regulating the industry. Jan Davis, RSPCA Chief Executive, said the RSPCA takes complaints relating to companion animal breeders very seriously. “Unfortunately, some breeders may appear reputable to potential buyers but, behind closed doors, their animals are not being given appropriate food, shelter or veterinary care,” Ms Davis said. “RSPCA inspectors receive many calls reporting breeding operations like this. Much more needs to be done to protect the companion animals of Tasmania.” Ms Davis said other states have been far more proactive in addressing these issues, in several states any individual, breeder, or organisation selling, adopting or giving away a dog, cat, puppy or kitten needs to use an official identification number in any advertisement of the animal. The RSPCA is now calling for our government to urgently follow this lead by:

• implementing a public searchable online Pet Exchange Register. Anyone who wants to sell a companion animal must register their details and a ‘breeder ID’ number must be included in all online ads.

• introducing penalties applying to any online trading site which allows ads to be published without a pet exchange register number.

We’ve featured Homely Retreats in The Hobart Magazine before, but please remind our lovely readers what you do. Homely Retreats provide respite experiences to those affected by cancer (with young children), to enable their family unit to take a break from cancer treatment schedules for rest and connection, during their toughest battle. This also allows families time to pause from the stress of their situation to create positive and long-lasting family memories - no matter the outcome of their cancer journey.

For a person living with cancer what can Homely Retreats mean?

The flow-on effects of a life-changing cancer journey include financial hardship, sudden changes in family dynamics, emotional distress, logistical and physical challenges, and more. Our unique and tailored respite experiences nurture the family unit as a whole. It can be hard to measure the value of creating space for families to rest and recharge, whilst reconnecting with their loved ones, but the beautiful heartfelt thank yous we receive in testimonials say it all.

You have an awesome raffle on now - what will the funds be used for and how can readers enter? Our annual fundraiser raffle has launched for 2023, running until 29 July, with six amazing prizes all donated by local Tasmanian business owners. As a charity, 80% of our team are incredibly passionate volunteers. We all work remotely and keep expenses low, so all funds raised go towards providing much needed respite experiences for our clients and their families.

People can enter our raffle through our website, www.homelyretreats.com.au, and we also have a Quiz Night/raffle draw event at Howrah Community Centre on 29 July, from 7-10pm. If you would like to reach out and lend a hand, email info@homelyretreats. com.au for more information.