Water funds flow

WATER infrastructure in some of Tasmania’s key farming areas will receive $54 million worth of upgrades. 

The funding is part of the Federal Government’s $211 million Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions initiative. 

The program is working with state governments, local councils, and community groups to fund projects across Australia. 

In Tasmania, four projects will receive a total of $54.9 million, with $20 million from the Federal Government and $34.9 million from TasWater. 

These projects include a $20.4 million new water treatment plant for Bothwell, along with a connection to the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme to improve water quality and availability in central Tasmania. 

There will also be $19.1 million in funding for a recycled water project in Cambridge Clarence in southeast Tasmania, which will provide 190 megalitres of recycled water each year for agriculture and help protect the Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon.

The program will also provide $7 million to connect Ellendale’s water supply to the Fentonbury water treatment plant, improving water quality. 

An $8.4 million project will be completed to replace the Oatlands Water Treatment Plant, improving water quality and reliability for the Oatlands community. 

Tasmanian Primary Indus tries and Water Minister Jane Howlett has welcomed the funding and commitment from the Federal Government. 

“Agriculture is at the heart of many regional Tasmanian communities, and these projects support those farming businesses as well as those Tasmanians that call these towns home,” she said. 

She also welcomed TasWater’s commitment of $1.9 billion of funding over the next five years for projects set to improve outcomes for homes, businesses, agriculture and the environment. 

“This will take major investment over many years, but Tasmanians and our celebrated natural environment deserve a modern and well-maintained water and sewer network that meets community needs, now and into the future,” she said. 

The WISER initiative supports 23 projects across several states, aiming to make water use more efficient and sustain able in regional communities. 

Many projects will use renewable energy, recycled materials, and refurbish existing structures to reduce their environmental impact. 

Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was pleased to partner with the Tasmanian Government to deliver the projects