A MAJORITY LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WILL:
- Provide funding of up to $4 million over the next 2 years for a site specific dredging program to be established immediately.
- During the first 100 days of a re-elected Liberal Government, consult with all members of the TEMT to determine the most appropriate enduring governance model for the future and ongoing management of the Tamar River.
- Commit up to $1 million annually to support the establishment and ongoing operations of the preferred model.
The Tamar River estuary and its tributaries, the North and South Esk Rivers, are the lifeblood of the Tamar Valley.
The Tasmanian Liberals are committed to continue improving both the amenity and the health of the entire catchment from the mountains through to the sea.
We are clearly mindful of the natural values of the river and estuaries and the balance required to maintain its function as a working river that has significant value as a commercial and recreational waterway.
A Majority Liberal Government will continue to build on the investment we have already made and secured through the historic Launceston City Deal.
We will:
Provide funding of up to $4 million over the next 2 years for a site specific dredging program to be established immediately
The record of the Majority Liberal Government demonstrates that we have taken on the commitment to tackle the challenges of managing this critical waterway.
However, action is required immediately in terms of ensuring that access for rowing clubs, the Tamar Yacht Club and the Seaport Marina to ensure that navigable channels and recreational locations can be accessed by all users.
We will provide funding of up to $4 million over the next two years for a site-specific dredging program to be established immediately.
During the first 100 days of a re-elected Liberal Government, consult with all members of the TEMT to determine the most appropriate enduring governance model for the future and ongoing management of the Tamar River
A Majority Liberal Government will work to determine the most appropriate, enduring governance model for the future and ongoing management of the Tamar River.
This could be a whole of catchment statutory authority responsible for all aspects of strategic management of the waterway relating to:
- Maintaining the health of the catchment;
- Ensuring river access for commercial and recreational users;
- Identifying and prioritising critical actions from existing plans/programs and ensuring they are implemented;
- Ensuring river improvement priorities are actioned and delivered;
- Securing funding to implement further priority actions; and
- Enlisting the skills, knowledge and experience of individuals and organisations who will contribute positively to improving the river and its tributaries.
If required legislation will be introduced to establish the most appropriate governance structure for the ongoing management of the catchment.
Commit up to $1 million annually to support the establishment and ongoing operations of the preferred model
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit up to $1 million annually to support the establishment and ongoing operations of the preferred model determined after consultation with TEMT to ensure it has the necessary statutory powers to support its operation.
Our record in Government:
In 2017 the Tasmanian Liberal Government established the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT). The role of TEMT was to:
- advise by on how best to mitigate the effect of Launceston’s combined sewerage and storm water system;
- recommend priority investments and actions; and,
- propose future ongoing governance arrangements for the Estuary.
- The $140.7 million River Health Action Plan jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, the Launceston City Council and TasWater is working to improve the long-term health of the Tamar Estuary by delivering improved catchment management actions and infrastructure upgrades to Launceston’s combined sewerage and stormwater system.
- The first component of that deal was the $10 million project designed to deliver improved catchment management actions across grazing, dairy and urban areas in the Tamar Estuary’s catchment. This is currently underway.
- In 12 months of administering the Tamar Action Grants, NRM North has contracted with approximately 76 landholders resulting in over 175 km of waterways fenced and 698 hectares of native vegetation managed to improve water quality within the Tamar Estuary.
Costing:
This policy costs $8 million over the next four years.