Councillor Bob Richardson claimed at Tuesday’s council meeting that projects such as Hobart’s Macquarie Point were being put ahead of ‘higher priority’ projects, such as Bracknell’s sewerage issues.

However, the state government said any suggestion Macquarie Point was affecting the resolution of Bracknell’s sewerage issues ‘is totally incorrect’.

While criticising the state government, Cr Richardson said he believed no one in the state would disagree that Launceston’s system was in need of upgrades before some other projects.

Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins corrected Cr Richardson, who believed the Macquarie Point project was going to be funded under the new ownership changes. 

Cr Perkins also pointed out that TasWater is not responsible for Bracknell’s sewerage issues because the town does not have any TasWater infrastructure. 

TasWater said it had consistently contended the Macquarie Point sewerage treatment plant was operating effectively and can continue to do so.

A state government spokesman said the water body was not spending any new money on moving the plant. 

“The state government’s equity contribution will not be used on this project. In fact, the state government is providing additional funds for this project,” the spokesman said.

“The government is aware that TasWater and the Meander Valley Council have been working on this issue for some time.  I encourage the council to continue to work with TasWater and the local community to develop an appropriate solution for local waste water treatment.”

TasWater said the installation of sewerage system at Bracknell was dependant on whether it was financially feasible on a sustainable basis.

The council and TasWater are already investigating the issue. Some initial studies into the issue are already underway.

Other councillors agreed that Bracknell needed better infrastructure. 

Councillor Andrew Connor said he supported getting better infrastructure, but said working with the correct channels was important. 

Councillor Michael Kelly said Cr Richardson’s motion was the “complete opposite” of what the council had been trying to achieve.

He said it sounded like Cr Richardson “was jealous of his neighbour”.   

Cr Richardson’s motion at the meeting was defeated.