Tamar River health plans flowing on course

A $94.6 million state and federal government package to fund a number of the recommendations outlined in the Tamar River Estuary Health Action Plan was announced in February 2018.

The catchment projects comprise a portion of broader actions under the plan, with others addressing Launceston's combined sewerage and stormwater system, the current regulatory arrangements, monitoring and analysis of pathogen levels, and ongoing governance.

Further investigation was also flagged by the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce for actions to improve sediment-related amenity issues. Both public and environmental health concerns have surrounded the estuary for years.

A spokesperson for the federal Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities said the contract for their $1.5 million contribution had been signed in October, with the project to be delivered by June 30, 2020.

The grant, from the National Landcare Program to the Natural Resource Management Northern Tasmania group, would help with efforts related to land-use within the catchment area.

An initial installment from the state government's $5 million contribution was provided to NRM North in November, the spokesperson said.

The 70km estuary system, which drains 15 per cent of the state, has faced concern around its ecological and public health for some years.

In the plan's executive summary, influences ranging from Launceston's sewerage and stormwater system to human changes of the estuary's flow and channel, along with upper-catchment agricultural and historical industrial practices and flooding, are all cited as reasons for the Tamar "not meeting modern expectations of health and amenity".

While focusing initially on public health measures, the taskforce also conducted a public consultation process to draw out the level of service expected from the estuary and further evidence-based proposals for improving its health.

More on the health of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary: 

TasWater - now also member of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce - said they were continuing to work with the City of Launceston, along with state and federal governments, on "detailed planning" for the combined system projects.

A Department of State Growth spokesperson said they expected this to be completed "later" in the year.

The planning will then form the basis for further funding arrangements from both levels of government, and inform how those projects would be carried out alongside existing scheduled improvements.

Andrew Truscott, manager of TasWater's asset planning and design department, said they were continuing "to investigate and assess the most appropriate options to implement the LSIP [Launceston Sewerage Improvement Project] and deliver sewage treatment improvements in Launceston".

"In parallel we have continued to complete significant works to improve the performance of sewage treatment plants, including at Ti Tree Bend sewage treatment plant, which treats most of the city’s domestic and industrial waste."

The City of Launceston council also continues to fund its own stormwater infrastructure upgrades, according to general manager Michael Stretton.

"Council now has responsibility for sediment management activities," he added.

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