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Water Quality


Flowerdale River at Meunna, Tasmania, Australia

Greens Move for Clarity on Water Management

Today the Greens tabled a motion to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into Fresh Water Management in Tasmania.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Oct 2022


Man testing water in a river.

Estimates Reply – Palmer

Palmer needs to have honesty from her department and she needs to have a dedication to science, openness and transparency.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Jun 2022


Flowerdale River at Meunna, Tasmania, Australia

Primary Industries and Water – River Health

The report, Temporal and spacial patterns in river health across Tasmania in the influence of environmental factors, was concealed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Man testing water in a river.

Primary Industries and Water – Integrated Catchment Management

Integrated catchment management is increasingly being seen as the way of the future by experts, scientists and stakeholders.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Flowerdale River at Meunna, Tasmania, Australia

New Water Funding Welcome, More Action Still Required

The Greens welcome the Minister for Water’s announcement of new funding for managing Tasmania’s waterways, but repeat our calls for greater action

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jun 2022


Man testing water in a river.

Hobart Water Restrictions Point to Bigger Problem

Water restrictions placed on Greater Hobart highlight why it’s essential that the Gutwein Government prioritise holistic, integrated catchment management

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Dec 2021


Flowerdale River at Meunna, Tasmania, Australia

River Health Positions Welcome, But Not Enough

The hiring of two new river health staff is welcome, but an entirely inadequate response to chronic problems facing Tasmania's waterways

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  13 Dec 2021


Man testing water in a river.

TasWater – River Health

Scientists in DPIPWE have developed a report looking at the health of Tasmania's rivers, called Temporal and Spatial Patterns in River Health in Tasmania.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Dec 2021


Fish Farm in Okehampton Bay, Tasmania

TasWater – Aquaculture Nutrients

A probable component of the nutrient algae overgrowth includes the intensification of aquaculture activities.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Dec 2021


Man testing water in a river.

Tas Irrigation – Water Quality and River Health

Minister, the Tas Irrigation annual report states TI operates 119 water quality monitoring sites across the state.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 Nov 2021


Man testing water in a river.

Hobart Water Restrictions More Than Heavy Rains

Stage 1 water restrictions for the Hobart area have been driven by factors beyond the recent heavy rainfall.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Dec 2021


Man testing water in a river.

Liberals' Agrivision 2050 Plan Comes at Huge Cost to River Systems

The Liberals’ ‘Agrifood Scorecard 2019-20’ tabled in Parliament today talks up agricultural output and ignores the heavy price paid by Tasmania’s rivers.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Nov 2021


Man testing water in a river.

National Water Week

​​​​​​​It’s National Water Week - an important opportunity to reflect on the genuine threat posed to Tasmania by over-exploitation & mismanagement of our rivers

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Oct 2021


Man testing water in a river.

Estimates Reply – Minister Barnett

This report was one of a series of water ecology reports that the department has been undertaking for many years.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Tasmania Needs Freshwater Management Inquiry

It’s time to take a careful look at exactly what is happening with Tasmania’s river systems.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Tyenna River

Tasmania cannot be all things to all people and we need to understand what makes this place unique and precious.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Human Waste Disposal Needs Stricter Regulations

The Greens will seek an urgent briefing with the Environment Protection Agency on whether existing regulations are capable of protecting water catchments.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  30 Sep 2020


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Serious Lead Levels Demand Health Investigation

High levels of lead detected in the water supply for the new Royal Hobart Hospital K-Block building is deeply concerning news.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Feb 2020


Ocean Waves

2019 Government Businesses Scrutiny Committee - TasWater

Full transcript of the Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporation Pty Ltd hearings in the 2019 Government Businesses Scrutiny Committee.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 Dec 2019


Doctor with Patient

Government Responsible For Water Quality Fix

Six million litres of untreated sewage was discharged into the Derwent River from the Macquarie Point Sewage Treatment Plant on Sunday.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  13 Aug 2019


Ocean Waves

Water Quality - Monitoring

A recent water monitoring study has detected disturbingly high levels of fish waste in the upper Derwent River catchment.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Aug 2019


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Drinking Water Risks Dismissed by Gutwein

In 2014, Hobart’s drinking water was plagued by an unpleasant taste and odour.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  7 Aug 2019


Ocean Waves

Premier Unconcerned about Contaminated Derwent Beaches

The Premier appeared unconcerned Tasmania’s major southern river has become so contaminated by bacteria it is now regularly unsafe to swim in.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Apr 2019


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Gutwein Washes Hands of Water Issues

Peter Gutwein has passed the buck on our aging water and sewerage infrastructure to councils, and in the same breath told them they shouldn't raise rates.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  24 Aug 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Immediate Action Needed on Scamander Water

The permanent 'boil water' alert for Scamander should prompt immediate action from the State Government.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  18 Jul 2016


Parliament House, Tasmania

State Budget: Address in Reply

The Greens’ Alternative Budget restores frontline funding to education, and state Government's share of responsibility for sewerage and water infrastructure.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  31 May 2016


Blue Tier, Tasmanian Forest Agreement Forest

Ministers Failing to Answer Questions on Notice

It is disappointing to see the number of questions that were put on notice some time ago that have not yet been answered by ministers.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Apr 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Water Inquiry Terms of Reference Tabled

The Greens today tabled the terms of reference for an joint House inquiry into water governance, which we will debate this week.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  26 Apr 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Rosebery Water Not to Standard

As recently as last week residents of Rosebery have reported dirty and brown drinking and bathing water running from their taps and sinks.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Mar 2016


Science Lab

Weak Chemical Testing of Tasmanian Waterways Under Liberals

Minister Rockliff confirmed that regular testing for chemical contamination in our water catchments has ceased following cuts of $39.7 million.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Jun 2015


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Liberals Wash Hands of Responsibility for Water and Sewerage Infrastructure

Not one of TasWater's 80 treatment plants meet modern standards and communities across Tasmania are facing contaminated water supplies.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Jun 2015


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Water Quality in Towns

Across Tasmania there are communities who are being told not to drink their water because it is not safe or to boil it before drinking.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 Jun 2015


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

North East Water Quality

It is unacceptable that towns in the State’s north-east have the worst water quality in the nation.

Kim Booth  |  Media Release  |  24 Apr 2015