Northern Tasmania local news briefing: Monday, October 5, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in northern Tasmania today.

The opposition says state service employees who took voluntary redundancies have been left in "turmoil" after a payout taxation bungle.

More than 100 applications for voluntary redundancies have been approved as the government seeks to reduce the public service as part of its budget repair measures.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet recently identified an issue where redundancy payments were listed incorrectly for taxation purposes.

Opposition spokesperson Ellla Haddad said workers were in "limbo".

The government said it had updated payment structures and workers would get the same post-tax outcome.

The state government has defended its strategy to unlock land for new housing in Tasmania, after a Housing Industry Association (HIA) report found the state is building homes at about half the rate needed.

The Tasmanian branch of the HIA reported the state built nearly 2,500 new houses last year, when it should be building more than 5,000 a year under the National Housing Accord.

Government minister Felix Ellis said land had been unlocked for 10,000 new homes through the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy.

The state government has released its latest concessions and discounts guide, covering a range of government services including housing, transport, education and health.

The guide also includes support for apprentices and trainees, who can receive a travel allowance for off-the-job training and overnight accommodation when travelling more than 60 kilometres. 

Ulverstone electrical apprentice Amelia Aylett said the allowance would help amid rising fuel prices.

"It definitely helps a lot, especially while being on the apprentice wage," she said.