Launceston Flood Authority chairman Martin Renilson revealed earlier this month that a large part of the promised, initial $1 million state government dredging money would be swallowed up in new sampling and permit application costs.

He had said previously that a start on dredging would be delayed until at least June, more than 10 months after then- premier David Bartlett announced the emergency silt money, because environmental permits had lapsed.

But Lyons Liberal MHA Rene Hidding, who was a member of the former Tamar River Improvement Committee, said yesterday that he could not recall environmental permits being previously required.

Professor Renilson said that the flood authority, which was given responsibility for dredging last August, had been told that the necessary five-year environmental permits had lapsed.

It was presumed this had happened between the time that the Launceston City Council had given up responsibility for the dredging program and the flood authority had taken over.

Environment Minister Brian Wightman could not be reached for comment yesterday but a government spokesman said that he understood that permits had been provided by Parks and Wildlife in the past.

Mr Hidding said that Mr Wightman needed to explain when environmental permits were introduced and why they were necessary.