Wasting Macquarie Harbour

FERRY EFFLUENT TREATMENT MUST BE AT OPERATOR’S EXPENSE

Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
Friday, 28 September 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today called for a commitment from the Environment Minister that public funds would not be used to fund upgrades to sewage treatment and disposal by tourist ferries in Macquarie Harbour.

It follows confirmation of concerns raised in Parliament by the Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP that operators of the Lady Jane Franklin were dumping untreated human waste into the harbour.

“Dumping of human effluent into Macquarie Harbour contravenes the State Policy on Water Quality Management, and should not be allowed to continue under any circumstances,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The Greens welcome the commitment from the Minister that Federal Hotels will be required to cease treating this world famous waterway as a toilet, but that cannot happen at the taxpayers’ expense.”

“The Greens are calling for confirmation that public money will not be used to fix a private operator’s inappropriate waste practices, and that appropriate on-shore sewage options are a requirement in current and future operating licences.”

“Macquarie Harbour is adjacent to a World Heritage Area and it produces aquaculture products that are sold around the world as clean and green, and this archaic practice is a direct threat on that brand.”

“It’s worth noting that Franklin River rafting companies carry out all their own waste, because they understand and respect the unspoiled values of this pristine World Heritage Area.”