There has been a lot of talk recently about the new water scheme for the Huon Valley. At first there was strong opposition to the proposed placement of a large pump house right in the middle of Franklin and this is a battle residents appear to have won. But another battle has been brewing regarding the water scheme. And this one affects not just the people of Franklin but all of the people of the Huon.
Southern Water has been granted a development application by Huon Valley Council to run a water pipeline through the historic Egg Island Canal between Franklin and Cradoc. This pipeline will supply water to Cygnet and feed planned industrial and residential development in Cradoc. The proposed placement of the pipeline has angered not only local people but also regular users of the canal from far and wide. Many people believe that a pipe laid in the canal will dramatically detract from the natural beauty and navigability of this waterway.
The Egg Island Canal was started in its present form in the mid 1800’s and completed in 1885. It is the oldest working canal in Australia. It sits between the two Egg Islands, one controlled by Parks and Wildlife, the other controlled by Tasmanian Land Conservancy. Opponents of the present design maintain it would be cheaper, easier and create less environmental and aesthetic impact to simply bury the pipeline on Egg Island several metres away from the canal. Any visible damage to the surrounding flora would disappear after a few months and the pipe would remain safe and secure under the ground for years to come. They claim that to run it through the canal not only will degrade the canal and create an eyesore but will also require constant maintenance. Silting, weed growth and damage will be permanent problems. Southern Water and Huon Valley Council however are still pushing for the pipeline to be laid in the canal itself and fastened to the northern bank with a series of treated pine posts every few metres. It is this design that has angered residents and regular canal users.
On Easter Monday approximately 130 people and well over 50 vessels of all shapes and sizes gathered on the Franklin foreshore to hold a protest rally to draw attention to this situation. Rally organisers were delighted “It was a wonderful turn out” said Shane Johnson, one of the organisers “but we still need to get the message out, especially to our politicians.”
“When he was taken through the canal, Greens leader Nick McKim in fact stated it was a ‘no brainer’ that the pipe should be placed elsewhere.” said Shane.
The weather on Monday was perfect and the day had an air of fun but with a purpose. By 11.00 a.m. a large group of vessels had assembled along the Franklin foreshore. Among the crowd there seemed a mix of young and old, conservative and radical, all concerned that this old canal was going to be compromised. After the flotilla had travelled through the canal and back again, the crowd gathered to hear several speakers talk of the canal’s history, its cultural and heritage significance, and its current usage.
The rally was well covered by the media, with TV crews from three different stations and the Hobart newspapers all covering the story.
“The day was a huge success” said organiser Chris Wood “it was on the news on all three TV channels.” “We were thrilled to see so many people show they care about the canal” she said, “It is too precious to interfere with.”
