It beggars belief that for so many years this issue has remained unresolved. 

A recommendation to fix the city’s effluent issue will be handed down in January, which will be the time for movement.

Let us hope that it will not be another case of all talk, no action. The proof is in the pudding as they say, and decisive action on the recommendation of the new Tamar Estuary Taskforce will be the proof. 

City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said Launceston’s residents would be happy to wait a little longer to see repairs made to the antiquated infrastructure. While this may be true, haven’t they waited long enough?

In 2015 raw sewage spilled into the Tamar more than 900 times over the course of the year. Spilled into the river which is the centre piece of our city, where people fish, boat and relax. 

Premier Will Hodgman was correct to say this is a situation Tasmanians should no longer accept. 

It is a sad reflection on the infrastructure of the second-biggest city in Tasmania that the spillage of effluent into the river has become commonplace, and is an accepted part of life. 

If we are to grow the city, and deliver on the promise that is being delivered with the City Deal, the university relocation and the construction of several new developments, then we need the most basic infrastructure to support that. 

There is little wisdom in growing Launceston, but ignoring the underlying and most basic services of sewerage and water in the city.

The new Taskforce brings the cooperation of a range of councils and agencies, which will hopefully bring a swift solution to the sewage woes.

With the focus of the government on bringing the state’s water and sewerage up to scratch, and this issue a key priority, Launceston residents can finally begin to hope that their river will be protected from flows of effluent. 

And with Labor earlier this year also pledging to resolve the problem if returned to government, it seems the end might be in sight for this ghastly issue.

It won’t come too soon.