A RADICAL proposal to deliver water from the Trevallyn Power Station to the silt-plagued Tamar yacht basin has been floated as part of a Tamar River strategy.
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The idea, which would involve a canal linking the Tailrace at Riverside to the yacht basin, was one of about a dozen potential strategies outlined in ecologist Jenny Davis's plan to improve the upper Tamar River.
A working group was formed yesterday to put into practice Professor Davis's plan.
The Monash University professor presented her analysis of the problem both in private and at a public forum yesterday.
She said the estuary was highly degraded and it needed more water from the North and South Esk rivers to flush out the sediment.
It's a ``paradigm shift'' from focusing on water quality to water quantity.
Professor Davis and paper co-author Ian Kidd said silt in the yacht basin was due to development encroaching on the river, reducing the overall size of the estuary, and the Trevallyn Dam, which reduced and altered water flows.
They are not calling for the end of hydro electricity or for the flooding of Inveresk, but neither is dredging the solution.
Instead, Professor Davis said a restorative approach could enhance the river's aesthetics and recreational aspects while still allowing for a power station.
Two committees, one chaired by a ``respected and high profile Tasmanian'' and involving community membership, would be needed.
A technical committee involving existing catchment management groups such as NRM North and Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers would inform the other.
Input should also be sought from Hydro Tasmania and Ben Lomond Water.
The Tamar River Restoration Group consists of Tamar Yacht Club Commodore Peter Newman, Tamar Rowing Club president Jim Guy, Seaport developer Errol Stewart, NRM North chief executive James McKee, TEER's Amanda Locatelli, Professor Davis, Launceston City Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski and Deputy Mayor Jeremy Ball.
