TasWater’s chief owners’ representative David Downie says if the Tamar River’s problems are to be solved then TasWater must have a member on the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce.
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The taskforce was formed as part of Launceston’s City Deal and will oversee the development of a River Health Action Plan.
On Sunday TasWater chair Miles Hampton voiced surprised that there had been no invitation to join the group.
But Treasure Peter Gutwein said representatives from the water body included mayors Bridget Archer, Christina Holmdahl and Craig Perkins as council owners of TasWater.
“Local government will give the community aspect but there needs to be the technical aspect to the solution,” Cr Downie said.
“It’s essential if we want to solve the problem of the Tamar that TasWater are part of the taskforce, they are the ones who publicly raised the issue of the sewage in the Tamar.”
While the treasurer has previously said the taskforce would liaise closely with TasWater, Hydro and the broader community, Cr Downie said Hydro did not have the same expertise as TasWater.
“Hydro are flat out running the energy sector in Tasmania … what can Hydro bring to the table that is more important than what TasWater can bring,” Cr Downie said.
He said while it was important that other bodies were represented on the taskforce the first thing that needed to be fixed was sewage in the river before promoting any more development.
Members of the taskforce also include Infrastructure Tasmania chief executive officer Alan Garcia, the Launceston Flood Authority’s Andrew Fullard, NRM North chief Rosanna Coombes, Rolph Vos representing TEER and the EPA’s Martin Read.
Holly Monery
Holly Monery is a journalist for The Examiner newspaper, based in Launceston, Tasmania. Her main area of focus is local government.
Holly Monery is a journalist for The Examiner newspaper, based in Launceston, Tasmania. Her main area of focus is local government.
