Jonno Duniam, Senator for Tasmania and Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water,
The Morrison Coalition Government and Tasmanian Government understand that delivering nation leading infrastructure protects jobs in regional communities and also helps the environment.
Through the Morrison Government’s National Water Grid Fund, four projects were identified in Tasmania to receive a grant of $5 million each.
One of these projects is the $18 million Shellfish Lease Water Quality Improvement Program which involves upgrades to sewerage pump stations close the shellfish lease areas.
Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam said the funding would upgrade TasWater infrastructure, automation, monitoring and control systems for 84 pump stations across the State.
“Tasmania produces some of the best shellfish in the world, and it is important that we continue to protect local oyster farms and the community from spills,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“This project will improve TasWater’s facilities in order to reduce spills, delivering better outcomes for both producers and the environment.
“This is a great example of the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments working together to deliver for our shellfish operators, and I look forward to working with the Tasmanian Government further in this area.”
Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, said the upgrades will improve TasWater’s facilities while reducing spills and protecting the local oyster farms, the community and jobs in regional Tasmania.
”Tasmania’s $30 million shellfish industry is spread across more than 100 shellfish farms, providing around 300 jobs, however, a key threat to the industry is sewage spills from TasWater facilities due to rain events or asset failure which can close leases for 21 days.”
The Australian and Tasmanian governments both understand that these upgrades are vital and will provide national-standard infrastructure for future generations.
The National Water Grid Fund has supported four projects in Tasmania that includes $52.1 million in new and upgraded infrastructure that will create 53 jobs during construction and 70 on-going jobs.
