As part of Launceston’s City Deal, $2 million was earmarked to create the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce, to oversee the development of the River Health Action Plan.

The next stage is to jointly investigate funding and financing options for upgrades to Launceston’s combined sewerage and stormwater system.

“Everybody complains that levels of government aren’t talking to each other. Sometimes they say departments in the same government aren’t talking to each other. So it’s really important to make sure that we work together and this is all about partnership,” Mr Turnbull said.

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Federal Cities Minister Paul Fletcher said Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten had been a “champion” for the Tamar River during discussions about the city’s future.

“With that element of the City Deal, as with every other element of the City Deal, the strategy and the approach is to gather the facts [and] gather the information working with the Tasmanian Government, the Launceston City Council and with other stakeholders,” he said.

“What we’re trying to do is bring to bear a number of policy levers that will have an impact, a very positive impact, on the liveability of Launceston but also its economic performance and we’re seeking to do that across a range of fronts.”

State treasurer Peter Gutwein said the taskforce’s report would be further explored in February.

“The first step is to consider the recommendations from the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce report, which will happen early next month,” he said.

“Discussions with the federal government are ongoing and the report will provide the platform to take action on what has been a long-standing issue.”

The plan is expected to build on the 2015 Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Water Quality Improvement Plan.