A major milestone in one of Tasmania’s largest infrastructure upgrades is underway. A massive 10-megalitre storage tank and pump station at Ti Tree Bend are soon to be capped as part of efforts to improve the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.
The project is an important step in the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan (TERHAP), which aims to deliver new sewerage infrastructure to the city to improve the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary and the surrounding environment.
TERHAP funding partners joined TasWater and State Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Local Government, Kerry Vincent, to tour the construction site at Ti Tree Bend.
TasWater General Manager Project Delivery Tony Willmott said work on the final construction piece of the TERHAP projects is ahead of schedule.
“The completion of the Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant Covered Storage Project will see a 70 per cent reduction of nutrients discharged to the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary. The increased storage at Ti Tree Bend also provides capacity to commence work on the Launceston Sewer Transformation (LST). This long-term strategy will see us rationalise ageing treatment facilities into a new modern facility at Ti Tree Bend.
“LST will also support industrial and agricultural sectors through increased recycled water in the region and enable growth opportunities in industrial estates such as Legana.
“In March, the 10-megalitre coverage storage tank structure started to take shape, with all the large concrete pours for the walls and floor also now complete as we start preparing to enclose the tank with a new lid in multiple stages over the coming months.
“The storage tank and pump station construction included 3,500 cubic metres of concrete and 900 tonnes of reinforced steel, with the mechanical fabrication and pipework being built and installed by local contractors from Westbury.
“Work at Ti Tree Bend is 50 per cent complete and will be completed in mid-2026.
“Once completed, this new storage capacity will enable us to temporarily store and buffer any incoming flows from the combined Launceston sewer system before we transfer these flows to the existing plant for the final phase of treatment.
“It’s a pleasure to keep our community and funding partners updated on our progress to deliver benefits for greater Launceston.”
The Australian Government, Tasmanian Government, TasWater, and the City of Launceston are investing a total of $129.2 million under the Launceston City Deal to implement the plan’s key actions.
With the TERHAP project progressing on schedule, TasWater is examining the broader picture for Greater Launceston’s sewerage network through the Launceston Sewer Transformation.
Over the next decade, sewage treatment plants in the greater Launceston region that are no longer fit for purpose will be retired and replaced with sewage pump stations, directing flows to the upgraded Ti Tree Sewage Treatment Plant, improving environmental outcomes and unlocking potential for future growth.
TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its asset portfolio over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.
