Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources; Simon Wood, Liberal Member for Bass; Kristy McBain, Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government; Helen Polley, Senator for Tasmania; Matthew Garwood, Mayor, City of Launceston, 1 Nov 2024
Ti-Tree Bend tank in the mix for Tamar fix
Work to improve the quality of Launceston’s biggest waterway has reached a new milestone, with construction of a giant storage tank at Ti-Tree Bend under way, following the recent completion of upgrades to the Margaret Street Pump Station and Western Rising Main.
The 10-megalitre concrete tank will be connected to the new pipeline under the kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary riverbed – boosting the storage capacity of Launceston’s combined sewage and stormwater system, and significantly reducing untreated overflows.
Ahead of construction, mass soil mixing works of more than 28,000 cubic metres of soil – the equivalent to filling 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools – were undertaken, along with the installation of 120 concrete piles to a depth of 20 metres.
With these essential ground improvement and foundation works completed, TasWater is now beginning construction of the new 10-megalitre covered storage facility and supporting infrastructure, with the project expected to be completed in 2026.
The project is supporting up to 80 jobs during construction, and includes the services of local Tasmanian contractors, One Earth Excavations.
It is part of the $140.7 million Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan, with the Albanese Government providing $49 million, the Rockliff Government $47.5 million, TasWater $33.2 million, and the City of Launceston $11 million – an initiative of the $609.4 million Launceston City Deal.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
“It’s fantastic to be back in Launceston to see this infrastructure continuing to take shape, with construction of this 10-megalitre tank marking an exciting milestone in this region-shaping project.
“Upgrading Launceston’s sewage and stormwater system will not only ensure it keeps pace with the city’s growing population, it will significantly boost the health of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary, supporting commercial and recreational opportunities on this waterway into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz:
“Alongside the recently completed pipeline, this latest milestone will continue improvements in the overall health of the Estuary.
“The work being conducted under the Launceston City Deal and Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce demonstrates once again what can be achieved when the three levels of government collaborate.
“The Tamar Estuary is a major asset for Launceston and northern Tasmania and the more focus we have on its health and amenity, the better.”
Quotes attributable to Senator Helen Polley:
“Improving the health of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary is something that people in Launceston have long called for, which is why we’re getting on with the job of delivering these critical upgrades to the city’s sewage and stormwater system.
“With work kickstarting on this storage tank installation, we’re another step closer to this estuary becoming a recreational waterway, which will really transform how this part of Launceston is utilised by locals and visitors long into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Simon Wood Liberal Member for Bass:
“We appreciate the river’s importance to Launceston and the wider community, which is why we are making investments today to ensure its health for future generations.
“The health of the Tamar is a daily topic of conversation around Launceston.
“People can be confident that the Tasmanian Government, as part of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce and through the Launceston City Deal, is helping to protect this waterway.”
Quotes attributable to City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood:
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said it was great to see progress being made on objectives outlined in the TERHAP.
“The City of Launceston is proud to work alongside our Launceston City Deal partners to continue to make improvements to the health of our waterways,” Mayor Garwood said.
“The work TasWater has been undertaking to progress new and improved sewage infrastructure is phenomenal and is going to make a really positive difference to the natural environment over coming decades.”
Media release – TasWater, 31 October 2024
Major milestones reached as finish line in sight for TERHAP project
The final major construction piece for the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan (TERHAP) is now underway, with the completed project set to reduce wet weather spill events into the estuary by 60 per cent, significantly improving environmental outcomes for the waterway.
The start of construction of a 10-megalitre covered storage tank at Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) follows the recent completion of two other major milestones for TERHAP.
Today, funding partners from the Tasmanian Government, City of Launceston and TasWater joined Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, to tour the construction site at Ti Tree Bend.
TasWater Project Director – TERHAP Combined System Improvements, Andrew Truscott, said the Launceston community’s patience has been appreciated during the delivery of one of the largest projects of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
‘’It’s great to be able to share our progress with our funding partners. This project has been in the day-to-day lives of the Launceston people since 2022, and we can now see the finish line in 2026,’’ Mr Truscott said.
‘’The covered storage tank at Ti Tree Bend marks the final major construction piece of the TERHAP project. We’ve recently completed a three-kilometre pipeline between Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station, and Ti Tree Bend and significant upgrades at the Margaret Street Pump Station.
“The upgraded pump station will be able to pump the equivalent of 11,000 toilet flushes a minute through the new sewer pipeline.
‘We had 18 local contractors, with 60 people directly involved during works on the new pipeline and pump station upgrade.’’
Work is now underway on the construction of the 10-megalitre storage tank at our Ti Tree Bend STP, equivalent in volume to four Olympic swimming pools.
‘’Significant ground improvements at Ti Tree Bend have been undertaken to enable construction, including more than 28,000 cubic metres of soil being mixed and stabilised, using a construction method known as mass soil mixing,’’ Mr Truscott said.
‘’In addition to the ground improvements, around 120 concrete piles have been installed to a depth of 20 metres to provide further stability and strength for the new concrete storage tank.
‘’The new storage tank will increase capacity at the STP and minimise overflows to kanamaluka/Tamar estuary during times of high rainfall.
‘’This tank will also support the future consolidation of other treatment facilities in the Launceston region.’’
TERHAP is an initiative of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT) and the Launceston City Deal, to improve the health of kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.
A total of $129.2 million is being invested by the Australian Government, Tasmanian Government, TasWater and City of Launceston under the Launceston City Deal to implement the key actions in the plan.
TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its asset portfolio over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.
Economic and project data
- The total value of the New Sewer Pipeline Project is $40M.
- The total value of the Margaret Street Pump Station upgrade is $9M
- The total value of the 10 Megalitre Storage Tank at Ti Tree Bend is $76M
- To date around 80 people have worked on the storage tank, with these numbers scheduled to increase as the project progresses.
- Works at Ti Tree Bend are being delivered by local contractors, One Earth Excavations and specialists from around Australia.
- Construction on the storage tank is due to be completed in 2026.
- The project will help reduce the combined sewage and stormwater overflow volumes.
- TERHAP projects are being delivered to improve the health of kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.
