Where has our water gone? Ratepayers join the dots and where was the Mayor?

Around 50 Orford residents met with TasWater representatives on Saturday April 14th in Orford to express grave concern about the collapse of water storage levels in the lower Prosser River dam town water supply, since Christmas. So much so that we are now subject to stage 1 water restrictions whereas the dam was full before Xmas.

TasWater confirmed Tassal have taken domestic water supply to bath fish after we were assured by Ccl this was not happening. TasWater suggest the rapid storage decline is a weather related event but rain records show this 2017/18 Summer season to have brought more rain than the corresponding period 2016/17 when we had no restrictions. The Tassal ‘breech’ occurred when their desalination plant was out of service.

We all remember the initial reservations TasWater expressed about supply capacity for the Tassal venture. There are only 6 pens of the proposed 28 in place so far and 2 things are now clear to us. (i) There was/is precious little modeling done for the fish farm water supply and (ii) even if the proposed Twamley dam was built now which it isn’t – it would take at least 2 years to fill. To rub salt into the wound, the TasWater people reminded us restrictions do NOT apply to food production.

I can report the discussion was robust but respectful and must compliment the 2 TasWater people who were patient and professional, if not also clearly frustrated to find themselves in this situation.

A prominent member of the Hobart legal community asked whether there would be a prosecution because of the Tassal TasWater breech and did not get an answer.

TasWater have agreed to come back to meet with the community again, with more research to answer the questions about past data and current flows plus modeling for the Tassal venture. That will be an interesting meeting.

Go to www.jimplaysted.com.au to see a video I made yesterday with footage of the water storage levels.
Jim Playsted Candidate for Prosser Legslative Council elections