KING Island has won an undertaking from the State Government to do a new and updated technical study on Grassy Harbour for port expansion.

Mayor Marcus Blackie was positive and optimistic after his meetings with the Premier, Deputy Premier and Cabinet Ministers last week.

Mr Blackie said one of the good takeaways from a discussion with Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson was that the Government, has given an undertaking to revisit the harbour’s future development.

“The current study that we’re still working off is from 2008,” he said.

“It’s quite dated and technology and shipping logistics have changed.

“We need a revised study to understand how we might best design a Grassy Harbour expansion.

“We could incorporate wave power generation and other clever ideas, package it up, and accurately cost it.

“We know it’s technically possible and achievable.

“With good accuracy of the costs involved, we can go and garner investment from state, federal, or private investment … for our future growth requirements.

While visiting Government Ministers did not make any other major on-island announcements Mr Blackie said his focus was on relationship building and he was pleased with discussions and government undertakings.

“Having the Premier and Cabinet on King Island, was a huge compliment, and a great opportunity,” he said.

“We really put on the charm offensive. We treated the Government with respect and gave them the benefit of the doubt in a lot of areas.

“I was starting relationships with most of the Ministers and the Premier. I think the cabinet visit opened a lot of doors for us. The Government gave us a lot of very positive undertakings yesterday.

“It was just good to sit with them as a part of this regional Cabinet and talk about our main issues of shipping, housing, emergency services, health and future local government reforms.

“A lot of these are old issues. King Island is worthy of investment, and we’ve got to sell it to the State Government and to others.

“I think we achieved that. At our social function and during the regional Cabinet meeting in the chambers, I thanked the State Government for their ongoing support for King Island and for their investments.

“Shipping was our number one priority issue. We discussed that issue at length. It’s our biggest, flat-lining influence … and it is critical.

“I said to them that we don’t like it when MLC Ruth Forrest and others ask questions in the State Parliament, and those questions related to shipping are answered by TasPorts.

“As far as we’re concerned, TasPorts does not speak for the aspirations and the future of King Island and they don’t speak for King Islanders.

“They’re a government business enterprise and essentially a stevedore company. They shouldn’t really be speaking for the Tasmanian Government.”

Mr Blackie said that King Island’s future aspirations need population and continued economic growth, for demand-driven justifications for big future investments such as Grassy Harbour, airport expansion and similar projects.

He said that he is trying to change the perception that King Island whinges about never getting what it wants.

“I know we’re not like that, but that’s often how we’re perceived. I’m trying to change that image. It is one of the things I identified I had to do very, very quickly when I took over as mayor six months ago.”

The council welcomed the recent announcement that the Government will not force local government amalgamations.

“The last item discussed in our regional Cabinet was the future of the local government reform program and I clearly articulated King Island’s position that we want to remain as we are.

“Our council isn’t perfect, but they recognised that we’re doing a good job.
“They understand our position and we firmed that up. We’ll still contribute to the reform program because all councils can be better if we can get some minor improvements, dividends or efficiencies out of this.

“They know our position.”

POLICE sergeant Nick Preshaw has been appointed as the new “boss” of Tasmania Police on King Island.

After 29 years in the police service, where he spent most of his time in Hobart, Preshaw was ready for what he calls “a country stint”.

“With family and job opportunities, it hasn’t really presented itself until now,” he said.

“This is the perfect time for me and my family and where I am in my career. So, when the job came up and I applied for it, I was lucky enough to get it.”

Until the end of 2024, Preshaw will be separated from his wife and four children most of the time.

It’s not till the end of next year when the youngest child finishes school and goes to university, that his wife will make the move to the island.

Preshaw joined the police after his identical twin brother graduated from the police academy.

“I was working at Armaguard, counting money all day. After he told me about the work he was doing and driving around in police cars, I thought I might have a go at that too,” he said.

The new sergeant sees himself as a jack of all trades, having worked in a variety of jobs. Nine years in the drugs squad, 10 years as a helicopter crewman, since 1996 a member of the police dive squad and lately a member of the serious and organized crime department, have contributed to Preshaw being a very experienced police officer.

King Island is not an unknown territory for Preshaw.

“My brother-in-law, Bob Schiwy, was a sergeant here 20 years ago. I visited him at the time and had a look around.

“Funny enough I am now living in the same house as where we stayed back then.”

The sergeant knows that police work in a small community is very different when compared with cities like Hobart.

“You’ve got to be a part of the community. You’ve got to get to know people. Each community has its own idiosyncrasies, and you can’t police it like in bigger cities.

“You drive the people nuts if I did that, I’d drive King Islanders nuts, and I don’t intend to do that.

“It is all about education. It’s about letting them know when they are doing the wrong thing and giving them the chance to change it – whatever the behaviour is that they’re doing.

“Things like wearing your seatbelt, that’s actually important. Because if you do go down the road, and I think the stats show, most accidents happen within one kilometre of your house, so just jumping in the car and going to the shop and not putting your seatbelt on, could be just as dangerous as going down the highway at 100 km an hour.

“The first couple of times you might get a warning, but please heed the warning because in the end, it’s my job to look after people’s safety and that’s all just a part of it.”

Preshaw is looking forward to meeting the people of King Island and working together with them and keeping the island the place we all love, safe.

POLICE sergeant Nick Preshaw has been appointed as the new “boss” of Tasmania Police on King Island.

After 29 years in the police service, where he spent most of his time in Hobart, Preshaw was ready for what he calls “a country stint”.

“With family and job opportunities, it hasn’t really presented itself until now,” he said.

“This is the perfect time for me and my family and where I am in my career. So, when the job came up and I applied for it, I was lucky enough to get it.”

Until the end of 2024, Preshaw will be separated from his wife and four children most of the time.

It’s not till the end of next year when the youngest child finishes school and goes to university, that his wife will make the move to the island.

Preshaw joined the police after his identical twin brother graduated from the police academy.

“I was working at Armaguard, counting money all day. After he told me about the work he was doing and driving around in police cars, I thought I might have a go at that too,” he said.

The new sergeant sees himself as a jack of all trades, having worked in a variety of jobs. Nine years in the drugs squad, 10 years as a helicopter crewman, since 1996 a member of the police dive squad and lately a member of the serious and organized crime department, have contributed to Preshaw being a very experienced police officer.

King Island is not an unknown territory for Preshaw.

“My brother-in-law, Bob Schiwy, was a sergeant here 20 years ago. I visited him at the time and had a look around.

“Funny enough I am now living in the same house as where we stayed back then.”

The sergeant knows that police work in a small community is very different when compared with cities like Hobart.

“You’ve got to be a part of the community. You’ve got to get to know people. Each community has its own idiosyncrasies, and you can’t police it like in bigger cities.

“You drive the people nuts if I did that, I’d drive King Islanders nuts, and I don’t intend to do that.

“It is all about education. It’s about letting them know when they are doing the wrong thing and giving them the chance to change it – whatever the behaviour is that they’re doing.

“Things like wearing your seatbelt, that’s actually important. Because if you do go down the road, and I think the stats show, most accidents happen within one kilometre of your house, so just jumping in the car and going to the shop and not putting your seatbelt on, could be just as dangerous as going down the highway at 100 km an hour.

“The first couple of times you might get a warning, but please heed the warning because in the end, it’s my job to look after people’s safety and that’s all just a part of it.”

Preshaw is looking forward to meeting the people of King Island and working together with them and keeping the island the place we all love, safe.

ROUND 14 has a mostly sunny, light smattering of cloud, slightly breezy, but otherwise bright August day for local footy. And to prove it, cars are sardined in around the oval with a big turnout for the second last round of the season.

Currie takes on Grassy and both teams are able to fill out team sheets of 16 for today’s game – which is a nice change. Brandon Blomfield v Michael Laskey go up at the centre bounce, and Currie are the first to go forward through Doug Cox into Tom Graham who puts it to the top of the goal square to a Campbell Keeler v Ryan Frosi contest; it spills out the back and Bradey Rhodes collects it but is a little wayward with the kick, kicking it out on the full in the Currie forward line.

Keeler capitalises from the free and opens with Currie’s first.

Moments later, Tyler Rhodes in the Grassy forward line, marks on the lead and takes his shot at a 60-degree angle and comes away with the chocolates.

Keeler with a snap kick from the boundary line finds a minor score for Currie,
Aaron Wardlaw whirls out of the contest in defence for Grassy, but his kick is errant and out on the full. Currie get their second goal through James Jakawenko.

Josh Bellchambers marks in defence, and centres to Jakawenko, who marks and kicks to a good contest in the middle of the field with plenty of bodies in tight. Doug Cox looks like he’s struggling after a bit of a run (someone run him out a vape!)

Jack Noseda back in for Grassy makes himself known, taking an intercept mark close to centre, and delivers the kick cleanly into T Rhodes for his second shot at goal which is just offline. Tyler Smith is relentless in the Currie backline, and there is plenty of play in the Grassy forward line to test him.

Jackson Taylor gets a free and misses, Grassy’s accuracy might be something to discuss at quarter time. Grassy’s backline are organised and efficient, easily beating the two Currie forwards. Dale Reed (Reedy) then lines up from the Grassy pocket, bombing it in for a behind.

The Grassy play seems to be big kicks from long and wide which is not paying off as often as they’d like, but getting close to goal is a luxury not afforded often by either team in the first quarter.

A Keeler v Frosi match up in the Currie forward line sees Frosi end up with the free. Grassy get another unfashionable goal from a contest just in front of their goal and go into the first break 8 points up, but there has been some delicious even contests on the field.

Tyler Husdon opens the second quarter with a Grassy goal. Tyler Rhodes can’t miss a mark, taking one low, 30 metres out, and he’s got his eye in after the first quarter warm up and gets the goal.

Currie strings a set of marks together to get down the field but is interrupted by a Grassy spoil. T Rhodes marks again almost straight in front about 40 out, has a punt, and goals as Grassy starts to take control of the game.

Currie go forward with a free for Graham, and Clint Stretten takes a mark on the lead and boots it into a contest where Bellchambers takes a strong mark and will line up straight in front 20 or so out, but the kick drifts for a behind.

Brady Rhodes gives off after a free right in front to T Rhodes for a goal.

They have obviously keenly read the leading goal kicker stats on the Facebook page and are looking to lock down a speech at Keating Medal night. Reedy to Noseda who snap another Grassy goal.

Laskey with a free in the centre kicks into Stretten up forward to see the ball go to ground with Sukma Bowling kicking it off for a goal.

T Rhodes ends up with the ball again taking a shot from a long way out for a behind. Moments later, the half time siren sounds to see Grassy up by 31 points.

Grassy open the third with another goal to T. Rhodes. Stretten marks and has a shot but misses, but Stretten hits his stride as he and Joel Williams (Mole) go to work against Marty Monson in their forward line and Clint soccers through a Currie goal.

Grassy replies quickly through J Taylor with a nice running goal. Freddy Tatawaqua kicks the ball forward for Grassy to J Taylor who marks on a slight angle, and the kick is good for a goal. Blomfield tackles Ben Doherty to get the ball and drives it forward, where Dylan Beecroft intercepts, sends it back forward for Currie, Jakawenko marks, but no one is back for Grassy and he chips it into a waiting Jak Youd for an easy goal.

Reedy has a chance from the Grassy pocket, but only a behind results. Arnie Stellmaker marks right in front for a sure goal. Graham marks going back with the flight of the ball, but his kick can only manage a behind.

Currie are struggling with effective tackles and have suffered a couple of friendly-fire collisions, particularly in their own forward line, a little something for coach Joel Williams to work on for next week. Reed to Tyler Rhodes in front, for another Grassy goal, to see them go in at lemons, 54 points up.

All the play initially is in the Grassy forward line and after some time they get their shot on and hit the post. Currie executes their kick-in well and head directly to the other end for a goal. The contest in the last quarter is competitive. Bowling and Williams team up in defence for an exit to Youd, but it goes forward into deeply contested play. Grassy attack again and get a nice little bullet into B Rhodes who pops it through for a short goal.

Currie goes forward and Stretten employs some fancy footwork around a Grassy defender and secures a goal. Craig Constable wraps up Youd for a free and goes forward.

Loki Bell gets it out to Doherty, before Noseda gains control and shrugs off a couple of attacks, goes forward and T Rhodes marks in in the pocket, for another goal. Noseda v Beecroft sees Beecroft come away with it and drives it forward, but Currie can only muster a behind.

Wardlaw kicked in with a long kick to B Rhodes who gets it forward to a T Rhodes who ends up with a free. He short passes into Tyler Hudson who is all alone in the goal square for an easy goal. Currie gets the last goal of the match but finds themselves with a 56-point deficit at the final siren. Next week North and Currie will battle out our last roster game of the season and then they will meet again the following week in the semifinal, so it will be interesting to see how both teams will tackle this game.