Tasmania first to wrap up construction on a WISER project
Earlier this month, water started flowing through the new Ellendale water supply pipeline.
The pipeline is the first National Water Grid Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) project in Australia to be completed.
It connects the town water supply in Ellendale to the nearby Fentonbury water treatment plant. This will ensure a more reliable and accessible water supply is available to residents year-round.
The town has relied on water carting in previous years, which is expensive and not sustainable. The new pipeline will mean this is no longer required.
This project will also ease the pressure on the local Jones River, which was a key water source for the town. This means more water will be available for environmental flows, which will help to support local ecosystems, flora and fauna.
As one WISER project wraps up, the next 2 are about to commence in October:
- a new Bothwell water treatment plant and connection to the Southern Highlands irrigation scheme
- a new Oatlands water treatment plant to improve water quality and availability for the local rural community and to support future water demand.
Meanwhile the fourth WISER project in Tasmania, the Cambridge-Clarence recycled water interconnector, is in its project development phase.
These 4 projects, once complete, will help future-proof water supply in the central and southeast of the state.
Joint funding of $54.9 million has been provided for the 4 projects. Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund. The Tasmanian Government, through TasWater, has also contributed funding.