Minister Gutwein is right on the money here! Launceston, since colonisation, has imagined the Tamar as a sewer in much the same way London did for the Thames. London learnt the error of its ways some time ago but Launceston has been going on much as it always has and surprise, surprise our river i9s now understood for what it is “a dirty ditch”. Yes Minister you and Barry Blenkhorn are so right!
The problem that is never really talked about is Launceston’s stormwater which reached the river loaded with doggy-doo and all manner of crap. There’s not of difference between it and raw sewerage.
Stormwater needs to be returned to the landscape and in mainland jurisdictions increasingly efforts are being made to ensure that it is returned to the landscape and filtered through it.
But not in Launceston!
The city spent $millions separating stormwater from sewerage only to consign contaminated stormwater to the river untreated.
It happened on Trevallyn and there was strident council resistance to any criticism that there was a better and cheaper way to go despite copious evidence being offered.
Ratepayers cop it in the neck no matter which way and the pretence that this is “someone else’s problem” no longer stacks up.
This problem is ours, that’s everyone’s, and it’s our inheritance along with all the nice bits. Let’s get real and engage with ‘the people’ in order to find a solution rather than feed endless numbers of blow-in consultants being paid enough to tell us what’s convenient for whoever.
Please Minister Gutwein do not put this down. Please take this opportunity to ensure that this issue is dealt with rather than postponed!
Regards,
Ray
• Factfinder in Comments: The article in The Examiner earlier today (Sat): Council needs to play its part on care of the Tamar River. By PETER GUTWEIN. April 16, 2016, 8:50 a.m. It’s disappointing that the Launceston City Council appears to be taking an all-care but no responsibility approach to management of the Tamar River. As distasteful as it sounds in 2016, there is no escaping that the Tamar River, under the direction of the council, has long been used as a key part of Launceston’s sewer network. It now beggars belief that after 150 years of oversight by the council, it appears it is not willing to play a part in achieving a solution for their ratepayers and appear to be now openly distancing themselves from any responsibility …
