More than three-quarters of Tasmanians believe not enough is being done by governments to protect waterways, according to a new survey.
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Commissioned by water sensitive urban design firm Ocean Protect, the nationwide poll found 76 per cent of Tasmanians were unhappy with what was being done by the government on waterway protection - the highest figure in the country.
It also found younger Tasmanians were most concerned, with 57 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds thinking more action was needed.
Ocean Protect co-founder Jeremy Brown said they commissioned the survey to better understand Australian attitudes and behaviours around marine health.
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"The state of our oceans and waterways is at crisis point," Mr Brown said.
Brown also noted that with sediments, heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorous and cigarette butts also responsible for pollution, the conversation needed to shift beyond single-use plastics.
The results come one year after the announcement of a $94.6 million state and federal government package to fund a number of recommendations outlined in the Tamar River Estuary Health Action Plan.
The 70 kilometre estuary system, which drains 15 per cent of the state, has faced concern around its ecological and public health for some years.
Catchment-based projects to improve its health under the plan are expected to be completed within 18 months. Further upgrade works to the city's combined sewerage and stormwater system are also slated.
TasWater said in February 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.
More on the health of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary
- Alderman Emma Williams to ask City of Launceston to support a broader Tamar River solution - March 2017
- Is this the fix to the Tamar River’s poor health? - October 2017
- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to announce funding to clean up Tamar River - February 2018
- Tamar River health plans flowing on course - February 2019
At the time, City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said they were continuing to liase with TasWater on what impact an existing Launceston sewerage improvement program would have on the timing of the works.
Mr Stretton added the council was continuing to fund its own infrastructure upgrades to improve stormwater quality, with the council now also having responsibility for sediment management activities.
On Tuesday, Labor environment spokesperson Alison Standen said there was a "worrying" lack of clarity about who is responsible for monitoring waterways.
"I know that local councils are frustrated that too often responsibility is handed to them," Ms Standen said.
A TasWater spokesperson said sewage treatment and environmental management were a "critical" part of the core business, with continued investments in infrastructure, science and practices to protect waterways.
"We also have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environment Protection Authority to reduce the impact of wastewater on the environment," the spokesperson said.
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