Government takeover will fix Derwent Valley water and sewerage issues

Today we have heard first-hand the impact that Tasmania’s failing water and sewerage infrastructure is having on regional Tasmania.
The Derwent Valley is one of the most picturesque parts of Tasmania, and last year over 200,000 visitors from around the State and around the world explored all this region has to offer.
But the Derwent Valley’s water and sewerage infrastructure isn’t up to scratch. While promises of a fix for areas of the Derwent Valley and beyond like Gretna, Fentonbury, Westerway, Wayatinah, Gormanston and Mt Field National Park have been made, eight years after the reforms began they are still all on boil water alerts. To make matters worse, the water at Gormanston has also been found to have elevated levels of lead in recent years.
The locals are fed up with it, businesses are fed up with it and the Derwent Valley Council knows that we need to get this fixed as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the latest report on the state of Tasmania’s water and sewerage from the independent Tasmanian Economic Regulator states that “Tasmania’s water and sewerage assets are deteriorating faster than they can be replaced…”.
The report found that in 2015-16 across Tasmania:
• Twenty five systems were operated under a temporary or permanent boil water alert while another five systems had a public health alert (do not consume) in place
• Six systems reported metal concentrations above safe health limits
• In 2015-16, the number of sewer overflows increased by more than 20 per cent from 164 to 201
• The rate of sewer overflows in Tasmania (4.3 per 100 km of sewer main) is up to eight times that of similar sized utilities on the mainland (0.5-1 per 100 km of sewer main)
• Only one of 79 sewage treatment plants achieved full compliance with discharge limits
• In 2015‐16, TasWater received 2,892 complaints, up 24 per cent from 2,324 for the previous year. The largest group of complaints were in relation to water quality (38 per cent).
That’s why the Hodgman Government wants to take over TasWater so we can fix the problem. By taking over TasWater, the Hodgman Government will ensure Tasmanians get better water and sewerage services faster, with lower prices and with no increase in rates.
In contrast, Labor’s disastrous do-nothing position won’t fix the immediate problems, and will privatise water and sewerage assets, with price rises of up to 18 per cent as a result.
Our Plan is supported by TasCOSS, the TICT, the TCCI, the Property Council, Master Builders Association, developers, businesses and the broader Tasmanian community, who are sick and tired of third world water and sewerage infrastructure in Tasmania.
The only people who seem opposed to our Plan to fix infrastructure, create jobs and cut the cost of water and sewerage bills are Labor.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer