09 Dec 2024
Transformed Tolosa Park primed for families
After a $6.2 million makeover, Glenorchy’s beloved Tolosa Park is a step closer to reopening to the public as a family friendly parkland, with TasWater handing the site back to the Glenorchy City Council today.
The handover marks the completion of TasWater’s Tolosa Park Dam Redevelopment Project which involved the partial demolition a 20-metre-high dam wall and extensive earthworks to create an open parkland with water features, landscaping and grassed areas.
TasWater General Manager Project Delivery Tony Willmott said the completion and handover was an exciting milestone for the community.
“Tolosa Park is an important area to the people of Glenorchy and to see the area transformed into a beautiful parkland is particularly satisfying,” Mr Willmott said.
“I’ve worked in this community for 35 years of my life and I can remember going to Tolosa Park for barbeques as a kid myself. It holds so many amazing memories for people across the region.
“The original dam was removed from the water network and emptied in 2018 after we constructed two above-ground reservoirs to better service our customers.
“We are delighted to have created something that will be enjoyed for generations to come through this project.”
TasWater partnered with the council to fund the project, contributing $3.2 million to the redevelopment.
“We’ve worked very closely with the Glenorchy City Council to deliver this project for the community,” Mr Willmott said.
The Glenorchy City Council has separately funded a walking trail network throughout the site with minor landscaping and trail works to continue over the summer months in some areas.
Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey said she was excited to officially take over management of the parkland.
“With an area of over 25 hectares, Tolosa Park is one of Tasmania’s largest and most popular passive recreation areas and is classified as a regional park for Southern Tasmania,” Mayor Hickey said.
“The work undertaken by TasWater marks a brand new and exciting chapter for this iconic area.
“We understand how important the parklands are to the entire community of Southern Tasmania, and Council will continue to build on the new vision of this important parkland.
“It’s been great working with TasWater, who have listened to the needs of community and created this incredible space.”
The completion and delivery of the Tolosa Park Dam Redevelopment Project paves the way for council to progress its future plans for the area as part of its Tolosa Park Master Plan.
TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its network over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.
Voting is open for reservoirs’ artistic makeover
The two Tolosa Reservoir tanks will also be getting a makeover in 2025, and Tasmanians are invited to vote for their favourite design.
Local artist Harrison Bowe and Vibrance Projects have created two designs that blend into the surrounding environment while highlighting the journey the water takes through Tasmania’s breathtaking landscape.
Voting closes on 17 December 2024 and, currently, the votes are split almost 50/50.
Tasmanians can have their say at: Tolosa Reservoir Tanks Mural