tasmedia.org

A meeting at the Launceston Environment Centre on Sunday 2 March heard a talk by eminent Tasmanian geohydrologist, Dr David Leaman, on "Water: Policy Needs and the Future".

The meeting, which was organised by Now We the People, was attended by people from as far afield as Burnie and St Marys.

Dr Leaman pointed out that the Meander Dam would exacerbate the current low flow of the South Esk into the Trevallyn Dam, not only increasing the likelihood of further outbreaks of blue-green algae, but also making much more significant the amount of water to be drawn off for the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill.

As 70 per cent of the South Esk's water comes from above Mathinna, the amount available for the pulp mill's operation has been also severely reduced by forestry operations in the upper catchment.

On the vexed question of siltation in the Tamar, Dr Leaman explained one of the key contributors being inappropriate land management practices, particular by plantation developers, in the North Esk catchment. There are documented instances in which the current land use practices are in breach of the Forestry Practices Code.

Logging of slopes of over 30 degrees, incorrect windrow orientation and harvesting too close to streams are contributing to the release of thousands of tonnes of fine soil particles which end up in the Tamar Basin, not only making it unsightly and inconvenient for boating, but guaranteeing that the impact of any future flood on Launceston will be much greater.

Dredging, he said, while necessary in the short term, is an expensive option which will be needed in perpetuity unless the cause of the problem is addressed.

"The most important consideration when managing water is that we understand how much water is entering the system and how much we are taking out, for whatever purpose. The state government are simply not doing this." stated Dr Leaman

Now We the People will be circulating a booklet containing papers from this meeting and a similar one held in Hobart late last year to all State and Federal politicians in Tasmania, and to all elected Local Government representatives.

For more information, please contact Tim Thorne
Publicity and Media Officer, Now We the People (Tas.)
ph 6331 9658 mob 0418 308 446