The Local Government Association of Tasmania has once again hit back at the state government’s proposed TasWater takeover, saying it was “unnecessary”.
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On Friday, Treasurer Peter Gutwein announced the government could complete upgrades on a Northern sewerage and wastewater plant within two years.
Mr Gutwein said the plant at Westbury had a history of being non-compliant with Environmental Regulatory Authority discharge limits and did not have capacity to meet the needs of a neighbouring industrial precinct.
“We believe this is a very fair plan for Tasmania, it’s fair for customers and importantly, it will bring forward investment,” he said.
Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said the precinct was ready for business but he was worried the announcement could raise concerns that it was not.
“TasWater and council have a very good shared understanding of the precinct’s needs and TasWater has altered its works program to ensure it supports the growth of businesses in the precinct,” Cr Perkins said.
“None of the potential businesses that have been talking to council have raised concerns about the TasWater infrastructure.”
LGAT president Doug Chipman called on the government to work collaboratively with councils and to provide funds for TasWater, rather than take it over.
“If the government’s solution is simply to throw money at TasWater, then we say they can do that immediately, without the huge impact of forming a new company under new ownership,” Cr Chipman said.
The call came after the Wednesday release of a new Infrastructure Tasmania report which backed the government’s plan to take over TasWater and said it could be done within five years.