Ti Tree Bend milestone marks a major step towards a healthier Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary

Ti Tree Bend milestone marks a major step towards a healthier Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary

A major milestone in one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure upgrades is underway, with a massive 10-megalitre storage tank and pump station at Ti Tree Bend 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 is delivering new sewerage infrastructure to the city to improve the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary and the surrounding environment.

Today, 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 for completion.

“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), a long-term strategy which will see us rationalise ageing treatment facilities into a new modern facility at Ti Tree Bend.

‘’LST will also support industrial and agricultural sectors though increased recycled water in the region and enable growth opportunities in industrial estates such as Legana.

“In March, the structure for the 10-megalitre coverage storage tank 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’s 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 then 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 ”

A total of $129.2 million is being invested by the Australian Government, Tasmanian Government, TasWater and City of Launceston under the Launceston City Deal to implement the key actions in the plan.

With the TERHAP project progressing on schedule, TasWater is looking at 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 which are no longer fit for purpose will be retired and replaced with sewage pump stations, directing flows 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.

Economic and project data:

• The total value of the 10-megalitre storage tank and pump station at Ti Tree Bend is $76M.
• The Ti Tree Bend project will generate $283M of economic activity and create 879 jobs.
• To date, around 80 people have worked on the storage tank and pumpstation with these numbers scheduled to increase as the project progresses.
• Works at Ti Tree Bend are being delivered by local contractors and specialists from around Australia.
• The completion of the Ti Tree Bend STP Covered Storage Project will see a reduction of 70 per cent of nutrients discharged to the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.
• The storage tank and pumpstation’s construction includes 3,500 cubic meters of concrete, 900 tonnes of reinforced steel with mechanical fabrication and pipework’s being built and installed by local contractors from Westbury.
• Construction on the storage tank is due to be completed in mid-2026.
• The completion of the project allows TasWater to shift its focus toward the Launceston Sewer Transformation which will see seven ageing STP’s in greater Launceston regions rationalised into a modern facility at Ti Tree Bend.
• The LST is set to unlock the potential for at least 10,000 new homes and reduce environmental concerns including a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions across the seven STPs.