Northern Tasmania local news briefing: Friday, October 30, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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

Counting continues today in Tasmania's local government elections, with a changing guard for several top jobs.

In Hobart, former 60 Minutes reporter Charles Wooley has been elected lord mayor.

In Clarence, on Hobart's eastern shore, Brendan Blomely lost the mayoralty to newcomer Drew Jenner but will remain a councillor.

Launceston' mayor Matthew Garwood and Devonport mayor Alison Jarman were re-elected.

In Burnie, deputy mayor Giovanna Simpson defeated mayor Teeny Brumby for the top role.

Further counting will determine the final make-up of Tasmania's councils, with all results expected to be finalised by Tuesday.

The health department's annual report shows that 62 per cent of Tasmania's most urgent elective surgery patients were seen on time last financial year.

It is a 3 per cent decline from the previous financial year, while category 2 and 3 patients were also slower to be seen.

The median ambulance response time was 14 minutes in urban areas against a 12-minute target, and 23 minutes in rural areas against a 20-minute target.

Health secretary Dale Webster said the system experienced increased demand but implemented reforms to improve access and flow, and reduce delays.

Tasmania's opposition has criticised the government for paying senior TT-Line executives more than $1 million in termination payments while the company is in significant debt.

The annual report for Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line showed four senior executives left last financial year.

They received roughly $1.17 million in termination payments between them, including accrued annual leave, a redundancy package and other benefits.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said it had made significant progress to rebuild TT-Line so it delivered for Tasmanians.