Environment Tasmania applauds the Legislative Council, which has agreed that all Tasmanians should have the right to have real-time information about sewage pollution entering their waterways, and unanimously resolved to investigate rolling out real-time monitoring of bypass events.
“This is a huge win for all swimmers, rowers, fishers and anyone enjoying Tasmania’s beautiful water environments. In the face of millions of litres of under-treated sewage dumped into waterways, this motion provides hope that everyday Tasmanians will have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.”
Key information
-
Independent Member for Huon, Clare Glade-Wright MLC, moved her first motion today, calling on the Legislative Council to consider commissioning a report into the roll-out of real-time monitoring of sewage bypass events on all Level 2 sewage treatment plants. The report will be released in 6 months time.
-
The motion was unanimously agreed upon by all members.
-
Over 600 million litres of under-treated sewage were released during bypass events into Tasmania’s waterways in 2024-25.
-
Cataract Gorge received 27 million litres of bypassed sewage in the same year. The Huon River received over 16 million litres.
-
During a bypass event (designed as an emergency measure) sewage will skip ‘secondary treatment’, which is the biological phase of treatment, before being released.
-
In June, Environment Tasmania released an interactive map highlighting the scale of the sewage crisis and a petition calling for real-time monitoring. Access the map at: www.mapthecrap.com.au
-
Under-treated sewage can contain pathogens, nutrients and other contaminants from commercial waste that pose a risk to human health.
-
Event Duration Monitors that monitor these outflows are used widely across the UK to alert the public to sewage pollution events.
Further Comments
“The passing of this motion shows elected members are listening to their constituents and the hundreds of residents who signed a petition calling for real-time monitoring.
“This motion is a step in the right direction in prioritising the health of people and the environment.
“Tasmania is a water-loving state and all members present noted they had waterways in their electorate, and spoke of how the safety of recreational spaces was important to voters.
“People who swim at locations like Cataract Gorge or in the Huon River deserve to know when under-treated sewage is released - before they decide to get in - not a year or even 24 hours later.
“While real-time monitoring won’t solve the sewage crisis, it does ensure Tasmanians can make informed decisions about their exposure to these risks.”
All comments attributed to Lucy Tremain, Freshwater Campaigner, Environment Tasmania
0480 263 258