The city’s Achilles heel.

At first glance, the river brings life to the greater Launceston region. It bends and curves from the coast, connecting the West and East to the Northern hub.

This is, of course, on a good day.

As anyone who has seen a 12-hour tidal flow through the river can attest, the Tamar has its ugly side.

This ugly side is bogged down with silt; the insidious byproduct that threatens the life force of the Tamar.

On its worst day, the river more resembles a quagmire and its stench sneaks across the banks and into the city and suburbs.

For as many contributors to the river’s ill-health, there have been just as many solutions floated.

And on the federal and state election cycles, it attracts funding, too.

The forthcoming state election is not exempt.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will arrive in Launceston today to announce the details for a $94.6 million plan.

The plan would see the the list of actions identified by the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce ticked off.

It entails 12 projects, which will focus on catchment improvements, and infrastructure upgrades.

We need to trust the taskforce’s findings. It was formed last year, as part of the City Deal, and is made up of representatives from councils, the Launceston Flood Authority, and NRM North.  

By all hopes, it was one of the strongest movements we have seen on the Tamar front in a long time.

However, the enactment of the River Health Action Plan hangs on a re-elected Tasmanian government.

The question being asked of Mr Turnbull today will be if the federal government will commit to pushing ahead with the action plan, in cooperation with a Labor majority government.

Also, would Tasmanian Labor be willing to tweak its policy for improving our river woes in light of the report’s recommendations.

The answer that we hope to hear is ‘yes’ – to both.

Northern Tasmania deserves action on the Tamar, no matter the political colours at play.

For too long, we have walked with this Achilles heel.