Orford and Triabunna-in the spotlight

The future of water and sewerage services in Orford and Triabunna has been outlined in a long term strategy which is designed to upgrade the towns’ ageing water and sewerage systems and meet likely future demand.

An assessment of present infrastructure has identified shortfalls with many facilities not meeting current day standards of performance, lacking reliability and containing little capacity for growth.

A period of drought between 2006-09 also saw local water storages fall to around 10% of capacity.

Coupled with planned developments in the area, the need for water and sewerage services is expected to significantly increase.

According to TasWater’s CEO, Michael Brewster, improvements to Triabunna and Orford’s water supply will help TasWater predict future demand, particularly during drought, reduce the risk of water shortages and improve water quality.

“On the sewerage front improvements will address public health, the capacity of the sewerage system and the environmental impact of increased sewage treatment facilities,” Mr Brewster said

As part of the strategy, TasWater is taking into account several developments currently in the planning stages and will identify the extent of work needed to meet demand if they proceed.

Under the long term strategy, the first water and sewerage upgrades will be those that are driven by compliance and safety. Projects earmarked for investigation and design work this year include: the Orford Sewage Pumping Stations and Network Upgrade Project, the Triabunna Water Supply Reticulation Reservoir Project, a new water treatment plant for Orford and a Sewage Outfall Project, also at Orford.

TasWater will be undertaking community engagement on these projects over the coming months with the opportunity for people to provide feedback.

“Looking ahead over the next few decades, TasWater envisages Orford and Triabunna’s water supply will be fed from the Prosser River catchment with increased dam capacity and a new water treatment plant,” Mr Brewster said.

“The focus for sewerage will involve upgrading mains and pump stations with an improved outfall for treated effluent.”

“While we are aware of the need for work to be done across the systems, the predicted population growth for the area means that a long term vision is essential if future demand is to be catered for.

“We plan to spend more than $330 million dollars on infrastructure across Tasmania over the next three years and this strategy will help assess what level of that spending will be directed to this region of the east coast.”

“TasWater is keen for the community to be aware of its plans and is committed to providing property owners and businesses in Triabunna and Orford with information as the strategy plan progresses.”
Simon Pilkington, TasWater