The Tamar Estuary was the number one issue for federal voters in the 2016 and while the health sector has pipped it at the post for the 2022 election, the Tamar Estuary remains front and centre in the minds of voters.

Climate and the environment ranked the second most important issue for the region, and the Tamar Estuary was a major theme for respondents.

The health of the Tamar Estuary has been a focus for the federal government for many years, but came to the fore in 2017 when funding was announced as part of the Launceston City Deal.

The investment for the estuary set in motion an $85 million plan to upgrade Launceston's combined sewerage and stormwater system, which discharges into the estuary on a regular basis.

That project is being overseen by TasWater, with works started to improve the Margaret Street pump station and the Ti Tree Bend treatment plant.

Funding of $10 million was provided to landholders to fence waterways to prevent stock and nutrients from entering the waterways.

But has there been any significant change on the health of the estuary? River users and lobby groups such as the Tamar Action Group say no, but scientists and the governing body say improvement is there, you just can't see it with the naked eye.

However Tamar Action Group president Andrew Lovitt is disappointed there has not been any significant action taken to reduce sediment build-up.

"In 2017 they stopped the raking, and there was an immediate and noticeable increase in the mud expanding, particularly around Seaport," Mr Lovitt said.

"There was an outcry from the community and that prompted TEMT to announce it would be releasing its most comprehensive report into sediment management, which was then delayed by the election."

Mr Lovitt was somewhat critical of the TEMT report, saying it did very little to address sediment build up, while also saying they had done a reasonable job at presenting all of the options proposed as "solutions to the Tamar".

"TEMT do a fine job, with environmental controls and checks, but we are still waiting on a solution to sediment build-up, the rice grass and flood risk."

TEMT chairman Gary Swain said the organisation had pushed forward with two significant plans to improve the estuary since TEMT was formed.

"We have already been seeing significant improvements to the water quality and health of the estuary system over the past four years so while those bacteriological improvements can't be seen with the naked eye, it's great progress and there's more to come in the respect of the health of the actual river," Mr Swain said.

"We are particularly excited by the new vision for the estuary which was consulted openly with the community with the final vision is now being considered by the three levels of government. The vision focuses on better community spaces along the river, natural values and river health."

Mr Swain said he was aware there was major interest in the future of the estuary, especially in and around Launceston, with more than 550 people having their say during the consultation process.

Along with the above plans, State Growth is also finalising work to get environmental and regulatory approval for site-specific dredging.

Dredging was announced by former Premier Peter Gutwein as part of the election campaign last year. Site-specific dredging is hoped to deepen the channel at strategic points to improve access to the estuary for users.

However, the TEMT report did not advise dredging of any kind, because of the impact it has on water quality and the ecosystem of the estuary.

The Tamar Estuary and Esk River program, run by NRM North, publishes a report card on the health of the estuary every 12 months. The next report is due in June this year, but the 2020 report was updated in 2021.

It showed Zone 1, which is from Launceston to Legana had shown a minor improvement, going from a F grade, which is classified as a fail, to a D grade, which is poor ecosystem health.

However, Zone 1, which is the most contentious zone, has been at a D grade since 2016 and dipped to a F grade in 2018.

The spokesperson said water quality was foundational to the health of the estuary and impacted throughout the catchment.

TEER runs a water quality improvement plan to identify priority activities to improve water quality along the 70-kilometres of the estuary.

"The plan provides direction to all stakeholders outlining long-term actions to protect and improve water quality across the catchment, and highlights that everyone has a role to play in improving water quality," the spokesperson said.

"Managing a large and complex system to improve water quality will require co-ordinated, ongoing, long-term action by a broad range of industry, government, and community stakeholders."

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