The project is funded by the Australian Government ($760,086) and the Tasmanian Government ($20,000). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
Dam on Cape Barren Island. Image credit: Tasmanian Department of State Growth.
Project overview
The Truwana / Cape Barren Island water resilience project will address water security issues on Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. This is Tasmania’s only discrete Aboriginal community.
Limited existing water infrastructure has caused severe water security issues in recent years. The community has experienced total water loss during dry periods.
Previous critically low water levels on the Island have required emergency water imports. At times, the community has also had to resort to pumping water from a freshwater beach seep.
Project funding is supporting 2 separate projects:
- a business case to identify long-term solutions for water security ($568,886)
- installation of 40 rainwater tanks to immediately provide increased water storage for the community ($191,200).
Business case details
The business case will:
- improve the understanding of water security and reliability challenges on Truwana / Cape Barren Island
- provide insight into the condition of existing water infrastructure and community water needs
- identify opportunities and risks for future water infrastructure options
- engage and employ the community to develop solutions and ensure ongoing support.
Rainwater tank details
This project will install 40 rainwater tanks on buildings in the Truwana community to increase water storage capacity in the short term. This will ensure the supply is more secure before the next dry season.
The Cape Barren Island Aboriginal Association will manage installation of the rainwater tanks with assistance from the Tasmanian Government.
The additional storage capacity will be incorporated as part of the long-term solution developed through the business case.
Community benefits
The project will support water resilience during dry periods in the short term, and plan for long-term water resilience. This will support:
- islander families living on mainland Tasmania who want to return to their homeland but cannot due to the lack of infrastructure to support new houses
- improvement in community livelihoods
- people to remain on Country safely.
An increase in people on the island will see:
- more children enrolled in the primary and high schools
- greater employment opportunities
- deeper connections with culture, community and Country.