Dangerous Intersection Upgrade, New Macquarie Point Minister

Events For The Week

Author

David Rowe
August 12, 2025

Good Morning Hobart,

Hope you had a great weekend.

In today’s newsletter:

  • Dangerous Intersection Upgrade

  • Restaurant Of The Week

  • New Subdivision Ready For Approval

  • New Macquarie Point Minister Appointed

  • Events For The Week

Dangerous Intersection Upgrade

After a 14-year campaign for safety upgrades, traffic lights will be installed at the Brooker Highway’s intersection with Foreshore Road and Duncan Street.

The project will add dedicated turning lanes, improved pedestrian crossings, and a sealed car park, addressing long-standing safety concerns near Montrose Bay High School and recreation areas.

Preparatory works start Monday, with major construction later this month. Completion is expected in April 2026, with staged works to minimise traffic disruption.

Restaurant Of The Week

Established in 2008 by Susan Catchpool and Garry Baker, Rockwall Bar + Grill quickly became known for showcasing premium Tasmanian produce in a relaxed, historic warehouse setting.

In 2022, Luke and Marisa Richmond took the reins, keeping Rockwall’s classics while adding fresh passion for local ingredients.

Expanding to Salamanca Market and the Taste of Summer festival, Rockwall continues to delight with standout dishes like Cape Grim scotch fillet and signature steak sandwiches, earning rave reviews from locals and visitors alike.

New Subdivision Ready For Approval

A proposed 61-lot subdivision at 15 Karambi Street, Chigwell, is set for Glenorchy City Council approval on Monday (yesterday).

The plan would create housing blocks between 450 and 3,000 square metres, with 140 hectares preserved in a conservation zone.

Features include a new road linking Boondar Street to Branscombe Road, environmental protections along Faulkner Rivulet, and bushfire management measures.

The site has been zoned residential since 2008, when a larger 74-lot project was approved but never built.

New Macquarie Point Minister Appointed

Eric Abetz has been formally appointed as Tasmania’s first Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, overseeing the proposed waterfront stadium and surrounding redevelopment.

Calling the current site an “industrial wasteland,” Abetz said the transformation would create an iconic gateway to Hobart.

The majority of MPs support the project, which is now proceeding through the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s Project of State Significance process, expected to conclude in September.

Construction could begin within months if approvals are granted.

Events For The Week

Tuesday 12th

🧪 Beaker Street Festival | Begins 10:00AM

Location: Festival Epicentre - City Hall, Market Place, Hobart
Description: Tasmania's wildest week of science, art, and excellent company is back. This August, Beaker Street Festival will ignite Hobart and beyond with 70+ events diving head-first into death, pleasure, and humanity.

🎉 Krill Party | 5:00PM

Location: 3 Argyle St, Hobart
Description: Come dressed to impress—there’s a prize for the most krill-iant outfit, and bonus points for bioluminescence. It’s going to be a shell of a time. 

Location: 30 Argyle St, Hobart
Description: Zoom around the best local watering holes for scintillating conversations, cold beers, and warm company. Pretty soon, it’s going to feel weird to go out for a drink and NOT have a scientist there to chat with.

🚲️ The Big Bike Film Night 2025 | 7:00PM

Location: Dobson Road, Building 25, Sandy Bay, Hobart
Description: Cycle through 2.5 hours of thrilling and moving bike-related films that has everything a cycle-centric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration; the evening is unashamedly and utterly, utterly, utterly designed and devised for the two-wheel devotee! 

Wednesday 13th

Location: Online Event
Description: All proceeds of the Bonorong Wild Night Out Fundraiser Auction will go directly to providing treatment and care for sick and injured wildlife admitted to the Bonorong Wildlife Hospital via our Wildlife Rescue Service.

🎸 Wednesday Night Jazz | 5:30PM

Location: 30 Argyle Street, Hobart
Description: Every Wednesday, we’ll set the tone with smooooth spirits and the even smoother sounds of Hobart’s finest jazz musicians, live in the venue.

Thursday 14th

🐟️ Open Night at CSRIO | 4:30PM

Location: CSRIO Marine & Atmospheric Research, Castray Esplanade, Hobart
Description: Ever wondered what happens inside CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency? Come along for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the globally significant marine and atmospheric research undertaken in Nipaluna/Hobart.

Location: Mawson Place 3 Argyle St, Hobart
Description: Join us at the Antarctic Lounge, Mawson Pavilion as part of Hobart's Beaker Street Festival. Three sets of music to get you on your feet and warm you up!

Location: CSRIO Marine & Atmospheric Research, Castray Esplanade, Hobart
Description: Dr Frederique Olivier (Fred) will take you deep into the pristine Antarctic wilderness and behind the scenes of filming emperor penguins through the brutal Antarctic winter.

Friday 15th

Location: 108-110 Bathurst Street , Hobart
Description: Join us for the Trash & Treasure Swap & Sell. All stalls have now sold out so come along, meet the locals and maybe take home a little treasure. Note this event will be in Criterion House.

🌠 Sidewalk Astronomy | 5:30PM

Location: Mawson Place, Hobart
Description: Join the Astronomical Society of Tasmania to peer through telescopes and catch a glimpse of the night sky — right from the waterfront. Depending on the weather, we may be able to view a number of fascinating objects, such as the Jewel Box, Gem and Pearl Open Star Clusters and the planet Mars.