Water quality in the Tamar Estuary has now been significantly improved following the $11.5 million Catchment Works Program which is being hailed a success.
The four year endeavour has tackled the challenge of keeping pathogens out of local waterways.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, said the Rockliff Liberal Government was proud to work with landowners and the agricultural sector to improve the health of Tasmania’s waterways.
“We recognise the importance of Tasmania’s waterways and that is why our government is co-investing with landowners to further protect the environment,” Minister Palmer said.
“The program supports grazing and dairy landholders to keep stock out of waterways through the installation of fencing, stock crossings, off-stream watering and riparian planting.
“This helps ensure farmers are sustainably growing their businesses while protecting Tasmanian waterways.
“Together with Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce and NRM North, we are excited to be helping farmers install around 550 kilometres of fencing to keep livestock away from the estuary.
“These fences will keep more than 18,600 cattle. 7,500 dairy cows and 222,000 sheep from accessing waterways.”
“The results of this targeted investment show far more significant gains made than we had ever planned, delivering an estimated reduction of 7.3 per cent of pathogens in the Launceston to Legana stretch of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary, which is nearly double the target of 4.7 per cent.
The Catchment Works Program is proudly being delivered by NRM North and has supported 150 landowners over 184 projects in the Meander, North Esk, South Esk, Brumbys-Lake, Macquarie and Tamar catchments.
It is part of the $140.7 million River Health Action Plan under the Launceston City Deal, supported by the Australian and Tasmanian governments and TasWater and City of Launceston.
The Rockliff Liberal Government is proud to be delivering what matters to Tasmanians by making our state a better place to live, work and raise a family.
