Ellendale’s water supply is set to be secured during the summer months after a project to connect the town to the Fentonbury Water Treatment Plant was awarded funding from the Australian Government.
The Honourable Julie Collins MP announced the funds from the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Efficient Regions (WISER) Initiative would flow into Tasmania.
TasWater CEO George Theo said the funding would be used across four transformational projects.
‘’We are pleased to see that our submissions to the WISER Initiative have been rewarded with $20 million worth of funding for the package of works,’’ Mr Theo said.
‘’TasWater will match this funding with a total of $54.9 million that will see residents across the state benefit from improved environmental outcomes, increased water security and better access to recycled water for agricultural applications.’’
The four projects are the Ellendale Water Supply Project ($7 million), the Oatlands Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project ($8.4 million), a new water treatment plant for Bothwell ($20.4 million) and the Cambridge Clarence Recycled Water Schemes Interconnector ($19.1 million).
‘’The projects are all part of our promise to deliver a healthier environment and water forever for Tasmania,’’ Mr Theo said.
‘’Having access to funding from the WISER initiative allows us to fast-track these works as part of our $1.9 billion capital investment program over the next five years, and we thank the Government for their contribution and support for the work we are doing.’’
Clarence residents will benefit from upgrades to the Cambridge Sewage Treatment Plant and the building of a new pump station so it can connect to the larger Clarence Recycled Water Scheme. The $19.1 million upgrade will deliver higher quality recycled water for use in agricultural applications as well as some golf courses.
‘’We have committed to recycling 100 per cent of our wastewater by 2050 and that will make a huge difference to Tasmania in improving the environment,’’ Mr Theo said.
Bothwell will receive a brand-new water treatment plant, replacing the existing plant to improve water quality to our customers and increase water security, with a connection to the Tasmanian Irrigation’s Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme and increased storage capacity.
The Ellendale community will soon see water carting during the summer months as a thing of the past, with a new pipeline from the Fentonbury Water Treatment Plant to be constructed. This will increase the water security during the summer months when traditionally water has been carted to meet demand.
Oatlands will also receive a new water treatment plant to replace the existing plant which will improve water quality.
“We thank both the Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government for their support on these successful grant applications.”
