While the Liberals have tabled their economic assessment for Marinus, the critical environmental river flow assessments are still not public.
Tasmania’s rivers are quite literally the lifeline of our communities and are an integral ecosystem of their own. River health is of vital importance.
Changes to flow rates occur when hydro water is, or is not, released to generate power on demand. It has a heavy impact on our rivers and Tasmanians want to know what those changes will look like under Marinus. What measures will be put in place to ensure the health of our rivers?
In 2001, prior to Bass Link coming online, a large study was undertaken on major river systems in the state to assess the impacts. We must see an equally in-depth report on what river flows will look like under Marinus to help prevent future problems like these.
The 2024 State of Environment report showed Tasmania’s river health is in decline, yet instead of taking responsibility and acting to restore them, the Government has walked away. The absence of a river flow assessment report is further proof of their neglect.
River flow knowledge is essential, not only for the environment but also for the state’s economy. Landowners and primary producers rely on consistent flow rates for irrigation and drinking water, while recreational users and tourism operators need clear information about when waterways are safe or unsafe to use.
Just as a ferry needs a port, rivers need water flow. It would be an unforgivable failure if the Liberal Government signed off on Marinus without first conducting a proper environmental flow assessment of Tasmania’s precious rivers
The Liberals must make the river flow assessment for Marinus public as a matter of urgent public transparency.
