The Launceston community is being asked to help shape one of the biggest water and sewerage projects ever undertaken in Tasmania.
Andrew Moir, TasWater General Manager Asset Management said the Launceston Sewerage Improvement Project will focus on the planning of sewerage services within the greater Launceston area for the next 50 years. This significant project may cost in the order of $200M.
“TasWater will be conducting information sessions and an extensive consultation process to gain an understanding of the expectations of the local community around sewerage services in the area,” Mr Moir said.
“It is a service that most people don’t think about unless they haven’t got it, but it’s something which will shape the future of greater Launceston.
“Community health and safety, environmental sustainability and the capacity of businesses to invest and create jobs are all linked to a high quality and reliable sewerage system,” he said.
TasWater currently operates and maintains a network of seven sewage treatment plants across greater Launceston that process the equivalent of 15 000 olympic-sized swimming pools of sewage and services 75 000 people.
“Inherited from the days when smaller councils operated separate systems, most plants are well in excess of 30 years old,” Mr Moir said.
“It has resulted in an outdated and piecemeal system that is unable to meet the environmental standards and population of a modern Launceston, let alone support future demand.
“A range of options are on the table from upgrading all seven sewage treatment plants to major rationalisation.
“The Project will be guided by the expectations and the views of the local community and will inform a business case to be presented to TasWater’s Board later this year.
“While the project concept has been raised previously, the formation of a state wide organisation in TasWater now means we can lead the way and deliver real outcomes,” he said.
The community will have their chance to find out more and have a say over the coming months. Check out www.taswater.com.au/Community—Environment/Water—Sewerage-Improvement-Projects/LSIP
Andrew Moir, TasWater General Manager Asset Management
