The Tasmanian Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP today expressed concerns over the health of the Derwent River, after the release of the latest snapshot of water quality by the Derwent Estuary Program.
“While there are some signs of recovery in heavy metal levels in the river, the Greens remain concerned about the high levels of effluent, stormwater runoff and rubbish entering the river,” Ms O’Connor said.
“We cannot get complacent about this beautiful river on our doorstep, and where there are deficiencies in water treatment infrastructure they will clearly need to be addressed.”
“Thanks to the fantastic work of the Derwent Estuary Program team we now have a clearer understanding of where and how this runoff is entering our river, and that will hopefully provide us with a long term way forward for recovery.”
”Recently we’ve seen dolphins and whales returning to the Derwent estuary, and it would be a devastating backwards step if the ongoing pollution drives them away.”
“The thousands of people who live alongside the Derwent want a river where the beaches are clean and the fish are safe to eat, and the Greens don’t believe that is too much to expect.”
