Jail For Airport Drug Bust, Hobart Council To Use AI?

Events For The Week

Author

David Rowe
August 26, 2025

Good Morning Hobart,

Hope you made the most of the weekend.

In today’s newsletter:

  • Jail For Airport Drug Bust

  • Restaurant Of The Week

  • Hobart Council To Use AI?

  • Tenders For Bellerive Ferry Terminal Begin

  • Events For The Week

Jail For Airport Drug Bust Offender

A Tasmanian man has been jailed after police foiled a $3.5 million drug syndicate by intercepting half a kilogram of methylamphetamine at Hobart Airport.

The 47-year-old, identified as SJQ, was sentenced to 30 months, with 12 months suspended, for his role in the trafficking operation.

Police stopped a courier before SJQ could collect the consignment, exposing his trusted role within the syndicate.

Prosecutors also revealed he sold drugs to end users and defrauded $89,000 in GST refunds.

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Restaurant Of The Week

Pearl Pavilion brings the soul of Sri Lanka to the heart of Hobart, serving vibrant, spice-laden dishes made with authenticity and love.

From their signature Lotus Rice to traditional hoppers breakfasts and sweet watalappan, every plate is a tribute to heritage and home.

Inspired by Sri Lanka’s “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” this warm, colourful restaurant is more than a place to eat — it’s a pavilion of comfort, culture and connection, welcoming everyone with open arms.

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Hobart Council To Use AI?

Hobart City Council is considering adopting artificial intelligence to streamline planning processes and ease housing pressures.

Councillor Louise Elliot has put forward a motion to explore AI applications, citing benefits such as faster decisions, predictability and improved community engagement.

The council already uses Microsoft Copilot to summarise planning representations and software to monitor visitor accommodation.

Potential uses include application triage, document processing and geospatial analysis, with planning expected to be a key focus in the council’s AI Strategy 2025–2030.

Tenders For Bellerive Ferry Terminal Begin

Construction of a new $5 million ferry terminal at Bellerive is set to begin in January, with tenders opening this weekend.

The project follows strong growth in Hobart’s ferry service, now attracting around 500 daily passengers since its 2021 launch.

The terminal will include weather protection, more seating, and bike storage, serving as a model for future sites at Sandy Bay, Lindisfarne and Wilkinson’s Point.

Funded jointly by state and federal governments, the upgrade aims to boost commuter and visitor appeal.

Events For The Week

Tuesday 26th

Location: Hobart Town Hall
Description: VDB's immensely popular lunchtime concert series returns to the Hobart Town Hall. Escape the hustle and bustle and step into an oasis of calm listening to beautiful music in the glorious surrounds of the Hobart Town Hall Ballroom.

🧘 Healthy Hobart Yoga | 5:30PM

Location: Criterion House Hobart
Description: These fun yoga sessions are suitable for all levels, catering to the absolute beginner through to those with more experience. Our classes are relaxing, non-intimidating and create a welcoming environment for all.

Wednesday 27th

🚢 Mariners On The Margins | 5:30PM

Location: Fullers Bookstore Hobart
Description: Mariners on the Margins unveils a captivating and often overlooked chapter in Australian colonial history: the sealing industry that flourished in the deep southern waters off Tasmania from the late 18th to the mid-19th century.

🎙️ Poetica Collective V3 | 6:00PM

Location: 72 Liverpool St Hobart
Description: What started as a one-off has become something people are coming back for — a night that makes space for stories, sounds, connection and a bit of soul. No big stage, no velvet ropes. Just good people in a shared space with something to say or something to hear.

🏫 Looking For Alibrandi | 7:30PM (Showing Until 29/8)

Location: Theatre Royal Hobart
Description: Josie Alibrandi is in her final year of high school. Whip-smart and aspirational, she is a third-generation Italian teenager and scholarship kid, with the shadow of a family curse and a penchant for rule-breaking.

Thursday 28th

🍷 Wine With Friends | 6:00PM

Location: 100 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Description: La Sardina Loca is hosting ‘Wine with friends’ series of dinners, with our close winemaker friends and you of course for 2025. We will be hosting an intimate wine dinner with Small Island Wines - James Broinowski.

Location: Altar Bar 112 Murray St, Hobart
Description: She can't hold a tune and gave up the drums in high school, but she definitely knows more Dolly Parton facts than you and once accidentally called Ed Sheeran uncool right to his face, so we know she's qualified. Expect laughs, niche references and bad puns. Maddie will test your trivia chops and keep you on your toes with her signature mix of music and nonsense.

👨‍🎤 Mark Howard - Live At Grinners | 7:30PM

Location: Grinners Dive Bar 132-138 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Description: Kicking off the Deep Dark Blue tour right here in Hobart! Farewell the winter and hang at Grinners to help celebrate the release of Mark's new album. Howlin' out old and new tunes before heading off around Australia and Japan. 

Friday 29th

👗 Dress For Success | 10:00AM

Location: 24 Davey St Hobart
Description: We are bringing you another opportunity to purchase our surplus boutique items! Come visit our Hobart CBD boutique and discover a selection of pre-loved and new fashion brands, including jewellery, accessories, and clothing in all sizes.

🍻 Ink & Drink | 6:00PM

Location: Grinners Dive Bar 132-138 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Description: Guests spend two hours using a real tattoo machine, guided by professional artists, to design their own artwork on silicone skins. No needles touch human skin, but the creativity, adrenaline and bragging rights are one hundred percent real. Every participant takes home their finished silicone masterpiece. 

Location: Wrest Point Casino Hobart
Description: To pay tribute to this milestone we present you a show of some of Australia’s best musicians backing Aussie superstar of stage and screen, Rob Mills. Going back to his rock roots, this performance will showcase songs spanning Bon Jovi’s 40 Year career.