kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary vision consultation period opens

The draft vision was prepared by the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce and released in June, and is now accepting public consultation.

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TEMT chairman Gary Swain said consultation with the public was the first step to deciding how the estuary would look into the future.

"The key elements of the draft vision we are seeking input on include balancing the natural surrounds, new and existing amenities and cultural, commercial and community spaces that are accessible by all," he said.

"To make sure we are on the right path we are inviting people to tell us what they value about the estuary, and to give us their ideas for what the community spaces identified in the draft vision could look like.

"Initially we want to know why people come to the area now, how they get around and, based on ideas in the draft vision, what would make them visit more often."

The draft almost immediately came under the microscope, with the Tamar Rowing and Yacht Clubs saying they were "disappointed" with how it looked.

Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson at the release said the draft hoped to "bring back" people to the river.

It included targeted dredging and beautification of parts of the estuary, which it said would also aid in silt management.

The draft was delayed by the state election, frustrating estuary stakeholders.

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During the state election Premier Peter Gutwein promised $4 million to resume dredging along the estuary, and the funding was reflected in last week's state budget.

A governance group to keep watch of how the dredging program was rolled out and "identify Tamar River challenges" was part of the plan as well.

Mr Swain said, after the online phase of consultation, there would be community sessions and pop-up information booths around Launceston in October. He said there would also be engagement with estuary stakeholders.

The online consultation can be accessed at tamarestuary.com.au.

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