Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens' Water spokesperson
The Auditor-General's Report into Local Government Authorities and TasWater released today confirms TasWater's financial situation, and their inability pay for infrastructure upgrades on their own.
While TasWater aren't in financial dire straits, they're not able to foot the bill to upgrade Launceston's ailing water and sewerage infrastructure, in the order of hundreds of millions, by themselves. It's time the Liberals chipped in for the project, critical to Northern Tasmania.
The Hodgman Government must intervene and also offer assistance to TasWater to upgrade Launceston's aging, and failing, water and sewerage infrastructure. Just as they have with the sewage treatment plant at Macquarie Point in the South.
Last Summer's flash floods left Launceston suburbs, like Invermay, ankle deep in raw sewage. That kind of weather event is a sign of the changing climate times, and will be more likely as our rainfall patterns change.
During flash floods, the sewage on the streets, bubbling up through sinks and running into the Tamar is ripe with disease. It's a serious public health issue for Northern Tasmanians.
Treasurer, and local Member, Peter Gutwein has refused to prioritise the needs of Northern Tasmanians, but was content to underwrite the loan to move the sewage treatment plant at Macquarie Point. Why won't he look after Launceston residents who desperately need the upgrades?
Launceston residents need to be assured they won't get sick because of a weak Liberal Government, and local member.