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Launceston City Deal

kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary

The kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary is an iconic part of the Tasmanian landscape. Stretching from Low Head to Launceston, it plays an important role in Launceston’s culture and natural heritage.

Featuring deep channels, shallow mud flats and spectacular rocky reefs, the estuary provides important habitat for a diverse range of marine and bird life.

After decades of commercial and industrial activities in and around the estuary, the Launceston City Deal partnership is delivering important actions to improve the long-term health of the estuary and to provide an inspiring landscape that connects and celebrates our community, environment, culture and history.

The Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT) has been charged with advancing these interests over the long-term through a series of projects and programs delivered with the support of partner organisations – and we are making progress.

Through the River Health Action Plan, $140.7 million is being delivered to improve catchment management and to provide upgrades to Launceston’s combined stormwater.

Of this, $129.2 million has been allocated to infrastructure projects being delivered by TasWater. Works completed and already underway include:

  • Upgrade to the St John Street Sewage Pump Station to increase the transfer volumes of sewage and stormwater flows to the Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant and keeping it out of the kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.
  • Construction of a large capacity underground chamber as part of the Margaret Street Trunk Diversion Project to redirect combined sewage and stormwater flows and increase pumping capacity to meet future needs.

The following activities and milestones are scheduled over the next few years to deliver this important project:

  • Rising main pipeline from the new Eastern Sewage Pump Station to Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant
  • Ten megalitre covered storage at Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant and improvements to the incoming rising main pipelines
  • Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station upgrade
  • Rising main pipeline from Margaret Street Sewage Pump Station to Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant
  • Eastern Sewage Pump Station.

Catchment Works Program

Delivered by NRM North, the $11.5 million Tamar River Action Grants Program is providing financial assistance to help farmers keep their stock out of the water.

  • As of 31 March 2023, the $11.5 million Tamar Action Grants program had delivered:
  • 447.5 kilometres of fencing has been completed on grazing and dairy farms to exclude stock from waterways.
  • 2,276 hectares of riparian area has been managed for regeneration outcomes.
  • 1,567 hectares of improved effluent management has been completed across dairy farms.

Together, these initiatives are making a difference, exceeding the 2025 target for pathogen reduction in the Launceston to Legana stretch of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary by 2022.

TEMT Implementation Plan

Developed in consultation with community and experts and based on a scientific and evidence-based approach, work is progressing to implement the 10-year vision for the future of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary.

With ongoing investment and careful management, the kanamaluka/Tamar estuary will be transformed from an industrial landscape to a unique and vibrant waterfront destination for recreation, entertainment, community connections, natural values, and cultural and creative events.

Read about the Vision for the Tamar Estuary

Image tiles

More about Video one - Intro

Video one - Intro

More about Video two - Pathogens

Video two - Pathogens

More about Video three - Projects

Video three - Projects

More about Video four - Stormwater

Video four - Stormwater

Project partners

Commonwealth GovernmentTasmanian GovernmentCity of Launceston

Northern Midlands Council logoMeander Valley CouncilGeorge Town Council

West Tamar Council

HYDRO Tasmania logoTaswaterNRM North