The safety of Launceston’s and the Tamar Valley’s drinking water is seriously compromised warns TAP Into A Better Tasmania.

“If we could issue a HEALTH ALERT we would”, said TAP spokesperson Bob McMahon, “Every parent, every mother, should be worried about the water that their child is drinking and the water that they swim or bathe in.”

The program, ‘Australian Story’ (ABC TV), has revealed that serious health and cancer problems exist wherever monoculture eucalypt plantations are grown near drinking water catchments on the east coast.

(See ‘Something in the Water – Part 2’) http://www.abc.net.au/austory/

“The water catchment for Launceston and the Tamar Valley is arguably the most degraded large catchment in the state,” said McMahon. “The siltation of the Tamar Basin is one symptom of that degradation.”

Launceston derives approximately 70% of its water from the St Patricks River, 20% from the North Esk and 10% from the South Esk. The West Tamar water is 100% sourced from the South Esk.

“I estimate that roughly 50% of the upper catchments of all these rivers have been clear-felled and converted to e. nitens (Eucalypt) plantations, much of which was destined for the Gunns proposed pulp mill,” stated Bob McMahon.

“Given the preliminary findings by Dr Alison Bleaney and Dr Marcus Scammell of toxic contaminants in the Georges River derived from the plantation trees themselves, it is critical that a comprehensive independent scientific study be done of Launceston’s and the Tamar Valley’s water.

The area of the Launceston catchment under plantations is much greater than the Georges River catchment.

It is no longer acceptable to pretend there isn’t a catastrophe in the making. If toxic water is found in the Launceston and Hobart catchments, apart from public health issues, it would also prove to be disastrous to the bottled water and beverage industry.

The potential loss of the ‘Brand Tasmania’ image could cost millions in lost revenue.

It is critically important that the councils in this valley claw back planning powers that have been abrogated by the state government and Forestry Tasmania

A nation that cannot safeguard its water supplies is a nation hell bent on suicide,” concluded McMahon.
Bob McMahon, TAP Into A Better Tasmania http://www.tapvision.info/