Agreement to freeze dividends

Local government owners of TasWater have agreed to freeze distributions for the next decade should the State and Federal Governments agree to contribute some $400 million to a proposed $1.8 billion water and sewerage infrastructure plan.

The plan would see the elimination of ‘boil water’ and ‘do not consume’ alerts to ensure as many Tasmanians as possible have access to healthy, potable water along with working to a resolution to the combined stormwater and sewage issue in Launceston.

In addition there would be a significant reduction in the number of waste water and water treatment plants in the state, which would operate at appropriate standards, assistance to relocate the Macquarie Point Sewage Treatment Plant as well as ensuring consumers do not face huge increases in their water and sewage bills.

Chief Owners Representative and Mayor of the Northern Midlands Council David Downie said Councils have demonstrated their willingness to contribute to the $1.8 billion that is required to fix Tasmania’s ageing water and sewerage infrastructure.

“We now call on the State and Federal politicians to help bridge the gap to enable us to have a ten year plan to address the water and sewerage infrastructure issue in Tasmania once and for all,” Mayor Downie said.

The President of LGAT, Mayor Doug Chipman said Councils will have to find ways to reduce costs to absorb the loss of income, but in making this decision to freeze distributions have recognised the importance of providing TasWater with the funding to tackle this problem.

“Rarely have Councils been so united,” Mayor Chipman said.

“This decision is a result of 29 owners’ representatives going back to their respective councils for support to the proposition of an income freeze and the vast majority supporting the proposal, shows local government is willing to put the community first on this issue and has taken the first step.

At the meeting to discuss the issue, Chairman of TasWater, Miles Hampton, said the $1.8 billion water and sewerage infrastructure plan would bring forward much of the work needed to ensure Tasmanians could have the water and sewerage infrastructure demanded by a contemporary society.

“We need to deal with issues such as in 2014-15 only one of 79 of our EPA regulated sewage treatment plans achieved 100% compliance with its regulatory discharge limits,” Mr Hampton said.

“Currently most regulatory limits for sewage treatment plants in Tasmania do not reflect the contemporary standards and the community expects we should be seeking compliance with modern day standards.

“With some 23 communities remaining on ‘boil water’ or ‘do not consume’ alerts we need to bring these to an end.

“We need to stop the uncertainty of which townships will suddenly find themselves with a temporary boil water alert as Wynyard, Irish Town and Strahan experienced this summer.

“Just as importantly, with water main breaks per 100 km at double the national average, we need to bring these in line with the rest of the nation, so consumers can expect a reliable service.”

Mr Hampton said the time for blaming others for failing to deal with this issue was over and the clean green image on which Tasmania relies is at risk if we do not grasp the nettle and push forward with this plan.
TasWater