Standing by to sizzle

AFTER sweating through record-breaking temperatures earlier in the month, the mercury is set to rise again in Hobart this week, with a top of 30C forecast for Thursday.

Today the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a maximum temperature for Hobart of 25C.

Wednesday will be cooler, at 22C, before the state"s capital heats up on Thursday.

Meteorologist Michael Laczko said the higher temperatures were due to a warm northerly flow over the continent.

"It's being diverted over Tasmania by a high to our east and ex-tropical cyclone Narelle, which should pass to the south around Thursday,"" he said.

He said wind speeds also were forecast to strengthen at the end of the week.

"We're expecting them to pick up on Friday as a front passes by," he said.

Today: 25

Tomorrow: 22

Thursday: 30

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Upper House inquiry opens

LEGISLATIVE councillors will be able to vote on each of the 295 lots to be reserved under Tasmania's forest peace deal.

From today, the Upper House begins three days of public hearings into the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Bill, which was passed by the House of Assembly last year.

State Government representatives tabled 158 pages of amendments to the original 60-page Bill this morning. The amendments also include maps of the areas to be reserved.

The move came in the first session of the Legislative Council Inquiry into the Tasmanian Forest Agreement Bill 2012.

The amendments have been approved by a Cabinet sub-committee, made up of Premier Lara Gidding, Deputy Premier Bryan Green, Greens leader Nick McKim, Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne, Attorney-General Brian Wightman and Craig Farrell, Leader of Government Business in the Upper House.

The Federal Government will commission a social and economic impact study of the agreement.

The Legislative Council will hear from and question signatories to the agreement as well as a number of industry bodies outside the negotiations.

They include the Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Tasmanian Minerals Council, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Forestry Tasmania, Forest Practices Authority, Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Tasmanian Sawmillers Association and Australian Forest Growers.

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Recall likely as nation hots up

SOME of the interstate firefighters helping fight Tasmania's devastating bushfires may be sent home as temperatures rise in their home states.

Dozens of firefighters have been sent to Tasmania from across the country after the state's worst fires in 45 years destroyed more than 130 homes, concentrated in the town of Dunalley, in the state's south-east.

Among them was Victorian man Peter Cramer, 61, who died while working on foot to identify potential containment lines on the southern boundary of the Forcett fire on Sunday.

A fresh contingent of about 68 interstate firefighters arrived in Tasmania yesterday to help local crews battle five major bushfires still burning across the state.

They relieved 67 Victorian firefighters, who returned to Melbourne on this morning.

Several advice notices remain in place, but no emergency or watch and act warnings have been issued.

Tasmania Fire Service spokesman Paul Symington said the fires did not present a major threat but crews would be working hard to strengthen containment lines, especially around the Forcett fire.

"Things have quietened down but, having said that, it will get hotter on Thursday," he said.

Hobart is expected to reach a top of 30 degrees on Thursday, but the Bureau of Meteorology says there is also a strong possibility of rain.

The temperature is predicted to soar across south-eastern Australia on Thursday.

Mr Symington said this would prompt a review of the use of interstate firefighters.

"We're looking at what resources we need," he said.

"If possible, we'll start to release some of them because we know they'll be getting short up there as well."

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Rebuild could take years

Bushfire Recovery Co-ordinator Michael Stevens, left, and recovery taskforce chairman Damian Bugg, QC, outside the Executive Building in Hobart today. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE head of the Tasmanian Bushfire Recovery Taskforce says it could take years for devastated communities to be rebuilt.

Fires described as the worst in almost half a century have ripped through more than 110,000ha of bush and farm land across the island state, with more than 130 homes destroyed.

The town of Dunalley, east of Hobart, has been the hardest hit, with more than half the town's buildings and a local primary school lost.

Bushfires Recovery Taskforce chairman Damian Bugg, QC, said the state was now in recovery mode, barring any new flare-ups or emergencies.

"The end point is the re-establishment of these communities to the point that we're all happy," he told ABC Radio today.

Rebuilding communities could take up to two years, he said.

The Tasmanian Government will absorb most of the cost of the clean-up, with contractors expected to start clearing damaged properties before the end of the week.

Volunteers and businesses had overwhelmed the taskforce with offers of help, Mr Bugg said.

The taskforce would open offices in Sorell and send people to the fire-affected towns of Dunalley, Murdunna and Nubeena.

"From today, barring further flare-ups and emergencies, we have moved to the recovery phase with responsibility for co-ordination of the government response," Mr Bugg said in a statement.

"We want to move quickly to help those people who need it, but I want to stress that this is a long-term job and the health and safety of residents, workers and volunteers is paramount, so we urge people to be patient."

"No demolition or removal of material will be carried out without the consent of property owners.

"However it is important to understand that once (contractor) Hazell Bros begins work on a property, the owners will not be permitted on site because of the risks of injury from heavy equipment or hazardous material."

People can register their property for clean-up and request a consent form by contacting the Bushfires Recovery Taskforce on 1800 567 567 or clicking here.

Four major bushfires continue to burn out of control, including a huge blaze in the South-West World Heritage Area, which has consumed more than 49,000ha.

There are several advice notices in place for residents but no emergency warnings.

The major thoroughfare to the Tasman Peninsula, the Arthur Highway, was reopened yesterday.

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Unit fire sparks arson inquiry

AN arson investigation has opened after an overnight fire in the Launceston suburb of Ravenswood.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at a unit in Pioneer Parade about 10.50pm yesterday.

The unit was badly damaged but no one was home at the time.

Tasmania Police today said the blaze had been deliberately lit, with the Launceston CIB taking charge of the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000 or the Launceston Crime and Drugs squad on 6336 3910.

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Tributes flow for fallen fireman

A VICTORIAN man who died while fighting bushfires in Tasmania has been described as a remarkable person.

Peter Ronald Cramer, 61, from Tyers in Victoria's Gippsland region, died yesterday while assisting backburning operations at Taranna, east of Hobart, on the Tasman Peninsula.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment firefighter had been working on foot to identify potential containment lines on the southern boundary of the Forcett fire about 3km from the active fire edge.

DSE chief fire officer Alan Goodwin said Mr Cramer had been a DSE firefighter for more than 30 years and a CFA volunteer for more than two decades.

He was a DSE training co-ordinator who also volunteered his time to train CFA volunteers.

"Peter was a well-respected and trusted member of the DSE community," Mr Goodwin told reporters in Melbourne.

"He was a very experienced firefighter.

"He spent a lot of time training and advising a lot of our younger firefighters coming through.

"He knew the bush, and it's a sad loss."

Mr Cramer was one of more than 70 Victorian emergency services workers sent to Tasmania on Thursday to help fight the state's devastating fires, which have destroyed more than 130 properties since January 4.

He was due to return home tomorrow but was found dead at 5pm yesterday on a bush track after he failed to make a scheduled call-in.

Mr Goodwin said the cause of death was unknown, and Mr Cramer had recently passed a fitness test.

"Certainly all our firefighters that we send away, all our firefighters go through our fit-for-fire program, through medical testing and so forth, and Peter was certainly part of that," he said.

Mr Goodwin said he first met Mr Cramer on a deployment to the US in 2003.

"He was always fun, he greeted you with a smile and a solid handshake, and that's how I will remember him," he said.

Mr Goodwin said the most important thing now was to support Mr Cramer's wife Julie and their children.

In a statement, Mr Cramer's wife and family said they wanted to "express how truly well-loved Peter was by everyone who knew him".

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said losing a firefighter had come as a shock.

"To lose someone in active duty is something you don't plan for," he said.

"We take our caps off to what Peter has done in three decades of service to Victoria through firefighting."

A CFA spokesman said Mr Cramer's colleagues at Swifts Creek and Tyers, where he was a member, had been devastated by the news.

He said Mr Cramer was very well known and well regarded in the Gippsland region because of his work as a trainer.

Mr Cramer would volunteer his time to work with "dozens and dozens and dozens" of new recruits, he said.

"He was a pretty remarkable person," the spokesman said.

"He really dedicated his life to fire management.

"We're supporting his brigade and those in Gippsland who will be feeling his loss pretty deeply."

The Tasmanian and Victorian premiers have sent their condolences to his family.

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Behold, bloomin' beauties

IN among tree-lined streets and leafy gardens, the community of Claremont was last night putting the finishing touches ahead of this weekend's 21st Lily and Summer Flower Show.

Between 100 and 130 exhibitors from around the state are expected to display their colourful blooms at the Claremont Memorial Hall today and tomorrow.

Gardening Australia presenter Tino Carnevale will officially open the event at 2pm today.

Show secretary Ian Norman said organisers were expecting up to 2000 people to come and see the different varieties of lilies and summer flowers, including dahlias, roses, perennials and annuals.

"I would say it's about the largest community event in Claremont," he said.

Show manager Ilona Jacobson said many community groups were involved, including the Clarence, Glenorchy and Lenah Valley garden clubs and the Mount Fawkner Rovers.

The Claremont Anglican Church is providing refreshments, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross Tasmanian Bushfires Appeal.

Ms Jacobson said the family-friendly event attracted visitors from interstate and overseas.

"We're getting more popular as people come from many places to see our show," she said.

Barry and Lorraine Davidson have been exhibiting at the summer show since its inception.

Their Claremont garden features almost an acre of winding stone paths, leafy magnolia trees, rhododendrons and lilies.

They also have hundreds of orchid varieties, mainly hybrids of Australian natives.

"The flower show is a community thing, and there is still the old core community in Claremont," Mr Davidson said.

"Everyone pitches in to help," Mrs Davidson added.

Claremont Garden Club members Wilma McTye and Suzanne Robinson have been exhibiting for about 20 years.

"It's always hectic but it's fun," Mrs Robinson said.

Despite damage by the recent wind and scorching temperatures, she was still planning on being part of this year's show.

"I'll have some succulents and hopefully liliums," she said.

She said the show was also trying to attract a younger generation of gardeners.

"We have quite a few children entering the children's section, which is wonderful to see." Fellow gardener Wilma McTye said all the preparation paid off.

"It's a lot of work in the build-up, but it does bring the community together, and we have such a lot of visitors and they're always overwhelmed by how much people can grow," she said.

Avid gardener and event supporter Rod Barwick, whose specialty is trumpets crossed with oriental lilies, described the show as a "feel-good event".

"You see heaps of people smiling, enthusiastic, and there's great goodwill among all the people there," he said.

For more show details go to www.tasblooms.com/claremontflshow.

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Festival expects lots of folk

Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs of the Stiff Gins.

THE tiny town of Cygnet will come alive today as thousands of music fans roll in for the 31st annual Cygnet Folk Festival.

More than 110 acts are set to perform during the weekend of the festival, a timely distraction for Tasmanians left tired and traumatised by bushfires this week.

Festival artistic director Erin Collins is expecting record crowds in excess of 6000, with pre-sale tickets well up on last year and commercial accommodation booked out months ago, although some campsites are still available.

"We're hoping that people will want a little break from all the dramas that have been going on and will come down and enjoy themselves," she said.

This year's program has a strong indigenous element, with highlights to include performances by "the voice of the Australian desert", multilingual singer and guitarist Frank Yamma, and the female duo Stiff Gins (Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs).

Festival organisers have also joined the fundraising effort to support people affected by the bushfires.

Patrons will be able to make contributions at several concerts, and musicians have donated items for a music lovers' raffle.

Money raised at tomorrow night's Festival Cabaret concert at Carmel Hall was originally to be donated to the Mines Victims and Clearance Trust but the trust has asked that the money go to bushfire victims instead.

kane.young@news.com.au

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Gamble that put us on map

WHEN it comes to attractions in Hobart, one venture stands out above the rest literally.

It was a tall order for Tasmania when the Federal Group proposed Australia's first casino be built on our shores, but luckily the vote in favour of Wrest Point narrowly won out .

Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old remarks that it's "scary" to imagine what Hobart would be like had the vote swung the other way.

The MONA of its day, Australia's first legal casino put Tasmania on the international map.

Since it opened in 1973, big entertainers, high-rolling gamblers, conferences and visitors from all walks of life have been drawn to Tasmania.

"Many years ago we didn't have Princes Wharf No. 1 or the Derwent Entertainment Centre," Mr Old said. "Wrest Point was the place to be."

Australia's first legal casino allowed owners the Farrell family to build a tourism empire taking in Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Strahan and Freycinet and to become the state's major private employer.

Federal's push to gain Australia's first casino licence began in the 1960s. A motivation for seeking the licence was a problem that still plagues many Tasmania's tourism operators the long, quiet "off-season".

Federal Hotels, now the Federal Group, reasoned that a casino would be the catalyst to attract more visitors and invigorate infrastructure Tasmania lacked.

On February 10, 1973, Australia's first legal casino opened its doors.

Staff had trained for a month ahead of the grand opening, a process that culminated in a full staff dress rehearsal staged in the brand-new tower that had changed the city's skyline.

It was one of biggest nights in Hobart's modern social history.

The evening featured one of the largest fireworks displays the city had seen, a bevy of bigwigs and celebrities including opening act Jerry Lewis. All the excitement was televised nationally.

But it was almost the night that never happened.

In 1969, Premier Eric Reece announced a statewide referendum to establish whether Tasmanians wanted a casino.

The results came back narrowly in favour of Federal Hotels' proposal.

Federal Group general manager Greg D. Farrell said the company was thrilled to be celebrating Wrest Point's 40th birthday in 2013.

"When Wrest Point opened in 1973, it provided a central point for tourism and entertainment in Hobart and was a highlight experience for many people visiting the state," he said.

"Forty years later we believe Wrest Point still holds its own as a premium provider of accommodation, entertainment, hospitality and conference experiences, as well as the boutique casino for which the property was initially so well-known."

Mr Old said the Farrells were great supporters of Tasmania.

"They could have left Tasmania and sold up, but they haven't. They're very loyal to the state," he said.

The first building on the Sandy Bay site was a home built in 1808 by Norfolk Island settler Thomas Chaffey. Chaffey's son William built an inn there in 1839, the beginning of the site's long association with hospitality.

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Golden girl's 42km challenge

HURRICANE Sandy did what most athletes have failed to do -- stop Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman in her tracks.

The Sydney Olympics 400m champion was scheduled to run her first marathon in New York in November but was forced to halt her debut when the Big Apple was hit by big trouble, courtesy of the massive storm.

Now Freeman, who turns 40 next month, will run the 42km for the first time at tomorrow's Cadbury Marathon.

The gruelling slog will be a far cry from her dash of less than 50 seconds on that famous September night in Sydney in 2000.

This time Freeman will not be alone.

Step by step, pounding the pavement for hour on end, Freeman will be slogging it out alongside a record 400 field, including runners from near and far afield.

And that's just over the full distance, with 2100 to tackle the event -- from the junior 1km race, the 5km, 21.1km half marathon and the full 42.2km distance.

At least the weather is to be on side tomorrow, with a forecast of cloudy skies overhead and a top of 22C to make ideal running conditions.

In the big one, Hobart's Hanny Allston holds the female record on the current course, completing the wearing event in 2hr 46min and 27sec in 2007, while the ACT's Scott McTaggart set the men's record of 2hr 23min 39sec in 2010.

At the pointy end of the field, Canberra's Matthew French, Barry Keem and Melbourne-based Ethiopian Asheber Germa are expected to battle it out fiercely for victory.

With Tasmania having seen the devastating effect of Mother Nature first hand in the past week, it is sincerely hoped a natural disaster or weather does not foil Freeman's run again.

But even with the focus on the fun run, the recent crisis has not been forgotten with the Cadbury Marathon also supporting the Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal.

All entry money for the junior 1km event will be donated to the appeal, along with money raised by participants through GoFundraise activities.

Race times: Marathon 6am. Half marathon 7am. 5km race 9am. Junior 1km 10am.

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