Preliminary work on one of the most significant environmental and infrastructure upgrades ever undertaken in northern Tasmania - the Launceston Sewer Transformation (LST) Project is moving forward. The project will modernise and consolidate Launceston’s ageing sewer infrastructure, improving public health, protecting the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary and unlocking capacity for future growth.

TasWater’s Project Director of Major Projects, Andrew Truscott, said the progression to the next stage of design works marks a major milestone for the city. “This is the beginning of a once-in-a-generation investment that will deliver lasting benefits for Launceston and its waterways. The project will see seven ageing treatment plants consolidated into the upgraded Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant,” Mr Truscott said.

“Our sewer network has served the community for more than 100 years, but it’s time to deliver improvements for the future. This project will improve the treatment of the community’s wastewater; ensuring we meet modern environmental standards and provide the infrastructure capacity we need for future development.”

Mr Truscott said the LST is a centrepiece of TasWater’s fifth Price and Service Plan proposal (PSP5), with $435 million allocated in this pricing period as part of the proposal’s four-year roadmap for ongoing essential infrastructure programs.

“Through our PSP5 proposal, we are planning record investment in Tasmania’s water and sewerage assets. Investment that will deliver long-term, future benefit,” Mr Truscott said. “Launceston’s sewerage infrastructure has served us for many years, but the communities needs and expectations can no longer be met with the current infrastructure.

“We need long-term solutions, not short-term fixes, and if we don’t do it now, we risk sleepwalking into a crisis that will cost Tasmanians hundreds of millions of dollars more than it should in the future.

“The responsible thing to do is invest now to avoid significant future construction costs, further environmental harm and to enable growth in the state.

“In our PSP5 proposal, TasWater plans to invest $1.7 billion in community infrastructure over the four-year period – driving environmental improvements, unlocking capacity for new housing and industrial growth, and supporting thousands of new Tasmanian jobs.”

The Launceston Sewer Transformation Project is expected to be completed in stages over the next 10 years, with major construction milestones to be announced throughout the project.

“When complete, this will be one of the most important environmental infrastructure upgrades in Tasmania’s history,” Mr Truscott said.

“It’s about protecting what we all value - our waterways, our way of life and the future of our state.”