The State and Federal Liberals still have no funded plan for fixing Launceston’s sewerage problems, despite the wildly optimistic announcement of the State government this week, which involves a takeover of the Taswater assets.
The Federal Government invested $1.5 million to study the most effective solution to improving Launceston’s aging and insufficient water infrastructure.
The Tamar River Sewerage Improvement Plan is a comprehensive long term plan that would see sustainable economic activity over an extended period of time. Residents of Launceston and the Tamar Valley want to see a commitment to upgrading the aging sewerage assets, matched with funding commitments from the federal Government.
The Plan is one the largest urban infrastructure projects undertaken in Tasmania and will improve the sewerage capacity for Launceston and the water quality of the Tamar River. It is not something which should be rushed, with over optimistic claims it can be addressed within 5 years.
Infrastructure Australia has assessed the project as a priority. Despite this, it has taken the State Liberal Government more than 12 months to reach the same conclusion, at least 18 months after State Labor expressed strong concerns and 9 months after federal Labor recognised that an urgent start and confirmed funding was required.
At both the State and Federal level Labor can see the benefit this infrastructure will deliver to Tasmania and is why the Labor team sought and received a commitment from Federal Labor to provide $75 million for the Tamar River Sewerage Improvement Plan.
We will work together at a state and federal level – as well as identifying other sources of funds to get the job done.
ROSS HART MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS
