Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Member for Bass
Last week's flash flooding has exposed the poor state of the TasWater infrastructure in and around Launceston. After years of consultations, trials and studies, it's time for TasWater to fix the sewage problem.
We know from government climate change modelling that the recent extreme weather, including last week’s flash flood event, is likely to become the new normal in Tasmania.
Invermay had untreated sewage spilling on to the streets, which posed a huge health risk. It also uncovered the infrastructure upgrades needed if plans to move the university campus to the area go ahead.
The Federal Member for Bass and many politicians like him have stood on the banks of kanamaluka/River Tamar and proclaimed themselves the river’s saviour. The river remains 'unsaved', and the flooding has revealed how urgent the remediation works are.
TasWater reported that the $185 million Launceston Sewerage Improvement Project was in the design phase and subject to funding. This project is urgent and all levels of government must prioritise it.