We’re making great progress at Ti Tree Bend as part of the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan – a major investment in improving the health of the Kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary and supporting Launceston’s growth.

A key feature of the upgrade is our new 10 megalitre covered storage tank, designed to temporarily store sewage during wet weather and reduce overflows to the river. The concrete base was completed in March and the tank walls were completed in May, and we are getting ready to start constructing the concrete roof in June.

To date, the project has used around 3,000 cubic metres of structural concrete and over 700 tonnes of reinforcing steel. A polyethylene lining has been installed inside the tank to protect the structure and ensure long-term durability.

Work has also started on connecting the tank to the broader sewer system. More than 500 metres of new pipework is being laid using a mix of durable materials suited to local conditions. Approximately 25,000 tonnes of soil is being moved and reused on site, with earlier ground stabilisation work improving its strength and water resistance.

During late May we started testing the tank using over 2 million litres of recycled effluent – a sustainable alternative to drinking water that helps conserve Launceston’s supply.

A new electrical switchroom, built off-site by Tasmanian contractors in Westbury, will soon be craned into place to power the tank’s systems. This will support long-term, reliable operation of the new infrastructure.

As we move into the second half of 2025, we’ll begin installing the mechanical and control systems that will bring the tank online – a key step towards achieving better outcomes for the estuary and the Launceston community.