Government to move Macquarie Point sewage plant

THE State Government will spend $140 million to move the sewage treatment plant at Macquarie Point to make way for the area’s redevelopment, says Treasurer Peter Gutwein.

THE State Government will spend $140 million to move the sewage treatment plant at Macquarie Point to make way for the area’s redevelopment, says Treasurer Peter Gutwein.

Mr Gutwein today said the State Government would work with the TasWater and make funding available to move the plant.

Moving the plant would free up the site for development, he said.

The State Government wants to see the wastewater treatment plant removed at the earliest possible time,” he said.

“There’s been some preliminary work done and the estimate for the removal is around $140 millions.

“We will work with TasWater and with its local government owners to make sure we can find a funding pathway for this.”

Mr Gutwein said he expected the State Government would stump up the “vast majority” of the money.

The sewage treatment works have long been considered a major stumbling block to a potential $1 billion worth of development on the prime waterfront site.

Decommissioning and moving the plant was expected to take up to four years, Mr Gutwein told Parliament.

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DOUBTS OVER PROGRESS AT MAC POINT

NO CLARITY ON MAC POINT’S SEWERAGE MOVE

An artist’s impression of a developed Macquarie Point site.

“The site is now transitioning from the remediation phase to the investment and development phase and the legislation that we will introduce into Parliament next month will outline a clear plan for the development of the site that is faithful to the Mona vision and will help unlock the site’s massive potential.

SEE THE GALLERY OF MONA’S MACQUARIE POINT VISION

MACQUARIE POINT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ON THE WAY

A sewerage plant has been a major stumbling block to a Macquarie Point redevelopment.

“Moving the wastewater treatment plant will clear the way for Macquarie Point to reach its full potential, unlock massive investments into the state, create jobs and deliver a nationally unique site for the community.”

Mr Gutwein said the details of the funding for the sewage plant’s removal would be worked out in consultation with TasWater and he expected that the State Government would provide the bulk of the cost.

The Macquarie Point upgrade is one of three big water and sewerage projects which the Government has on the agenda, the others being major upgrades to facilities in Launceston and Coles Bay.

Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister David O’Byrne said the Government was no closer to moving the plant.

“Today’s announcement is no different to the commitment the Liberals made to fund the relocation in a memorandum of understanding with TasWater in 2015,” he said.

“More than three years later, Treasurer Peter Gutwein is recycling his commitment in a desperate attempt to convince councils to vote for his TasWater deal.”