Media

Press Release – 16 March, 2015

Conditional Agreements reached on preferred barrage site

The location of the Tamar Lake barrage in the Rowella/Long Reach area has been determined by the strategic requirements of flood mitigation, silt transport and economic cost/benefits.

The preferred location is as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.

Discussions with Rowella residents and land owners on both sides of Long Reach have confirmed conditional agreement on the siting, and agreement to enter into negotiations for construction access and for a right of way for a pedestrian/bicycle pathway from West Bay Road on the west end of the barrage to East Tamar Highway on the East end.

These negotiations will take place once planning approvals have been received.

Robin Frith

President

Tamar Lake Inc

Press Release – 30 October 2014

Alternative Site for Tamar Barrage Identified.

Community consultation stimulates search for alternative site

The general location of the Tamar barrage in the Rowella/Long Reach area has been determined by the strategic requirements of flood mitigation, silt transport and economic costs/benefits.

In the early stages the barrage located off the end of West Bay Road (red line) had been chosen as the site for the detailed hydrodynamic studies and construction costing studies.

However, in consultation with the residents of West Bay Road, this site received strong objections on aesthetic and acoustic grounds, which has stimulated a search for an alternative site.

Fortunately, just around the corner in Long Reach a new site (green line) was found with very similar geophysical characteristics. A check with our barrage designers, C D M Smith, confirmed that construction costs would be very similar, and the new site still met our strategic goals.

While the two sites will still need to be subjected to a cost/benefit analysis in the detailed design phase, the Long Reach location could have other strategic benefits in terms of site access and storm surge issues.

The West Bay residents support the Long Beach site, subject to a review of the detailed design.

Robin Frith

President

Tamar Lake Inc     0419 176 096

 

 

Press Release – 29 October 2014

New Study shows that Tamar Barrage has no detrimental effects on 200 year ARI flood event levels in Launceston. Launceston Flood Authority endorses study results

A new $16,000 study commissioned by Tamar Lake Inc and paid for by the Members, has looked at the possible effects the installation of a barrage at the southern end of Long Reach, near Rowella, will have on flood levels in Launceston and the Tamar Valley, upstream of the barrage.

The study encompassed the current sea level scenario and a sea level rise scenario of 0.8m.

With the barrage equipped with large hydraulically operated gates, the study showed that the level of the 45 sq km lake could be lowered to the equivalent of mid tide level with a maximum 24 hours’ notice of flood level rains falling in the South and North Esk catchment areas, providing a 45,000 ML buffer against the incoming flows.
This, coupled with the blocking of any tidal effects upstream of the barrage, not only mitigates any adverse effects in Launceston, but reduces flood levels in the rest of the Tamar by as much as one metre for a 100 year flood event.

The study also looked at the absolute worst case scenario of all 10 gates not operating during a 200 year flood event, and came to the conclusion that a failsafe mechanism to release flood waters should be included in the design.

This report has been reviewed with the CEO of The Launceston Flood Authority, Andrew Fullard, who has released the following statement:

“The Launceston Flood Authority commends Tamar Lake for undertaking this modelling study to address concerns. The study report notes that the construction of the Tamar Lake Barrage when operated normally will not have a detrimental impact on flood levels in Launceston. The report does however conclude that should the barrage be inoperable for any reason flood levels in Launceston would rise by up to one metre, flooding the City and thus requires a failsafe system be incorporated into the barrage design.”

Robin Frith

President

Tamar Lake Inc     0419 176 096

Press Release – July 1, 2014

Tamar Lake Economic Impact report released by KPMG

The Tamar Lake Economic Impact report, prepared for Tamar Lake Inc by KPMG, predicts that implementation of the Tamar Lake project could generate 856 jobs during the 3 years of construction of the barrage, and a further 844 jobs per annum in the irrigated agriculture and tourism sectors in the 15 years following the completion of the barrage.

The report shows that for a capital investment of around $320 Million for the barrage (CDM Smith consulting estimate) and $20 Million for the irrigation infrastructure, the project would contribute approximately $315.5 Million in GSP (value added) to the state economy over 3 years.

Further, the report shows that over the subsequent 15 years, the expenditure from construction and operations by suppliers and users of the irrigation scheme would contribute initially $10.28 Million per annum, rising to $19.64 Million per annum of GSP (value added) as the irrigation scheme becomes fully subscribed.

And in particular, the favourable impact on tourism will contribute $112.5 Million per annum in net additions  to GSP (value added) and support an additional 716 jobs.

These assumptions are based on a 3 year construction period commencing in 2019, and the first 15 years of operations post construction.

In a previous study carried out for Tamar Lake Inc by the global NERA Economic Consultancy, they predicted a net increase in commercial and residential property values in Launceston and the upper Tamar Valley of $333 Million, which would stimulate a boom in the construction and service sectors due to the perceived increase in household net asset values.

This economic stimulus effect was not included in the KPMG study.

Tamar Lake Inc is a not-for-profit, altruistic, privately funded Association that was founded in 2010 with the mission to demonstrate the viability of the Tamar Lake concept to not only solve the silt accumulation problem in the upper reaches of the Tamar, but will also be the catalyst for an economic transformation of the whole Tamar Valley region.

Members and consultants to date have contributed over $420,000 in the form of cash, kind and pro bono consulting services in the execution of the 7 studies that have investigated the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of the project.

With the receipt of the very favourable KPMG study, the Members of Tamar Lake Inc have resolved to take the concept and the results of these studies to the community, and to seek the support from the three levels of government for more detailed planning.

 

Australian Associated Press

By David Beniuk

HOBART, July 4 AAP – Tasmania’s silted Tamar River could be turned into a clear freshwater lake four-fifths the size of Sydney Harbour, a lobby group says.

The murky Tamar is as much a part of Launceston as its favourite son, Ricky Ponting, but the group says a $320 million barrage near its mouth would produce a water-lover’s playground.

“It will be virtually crystal clear,” Tamar Lake Inc spokesman Robin Frith told AAP.   “Instead of having a visual depth of about six inches … you’ll be able to go down two or three metres.”

The group this week released a KPMG economic impact report that says the project would create 850 jobs during its three-year construction period and the same number in agriculture and tourism.

It would generate $315 million for the state’s economy in its first three years of operation, the report says.

Other benefits would include stopping the effects of predicted sea-level rise of 0.8 metres lapping the streets of Launceston, Mr Frith said.

The retired engineer is calling for a full feasibility study to be completed by government, which would include a submission to Infrastructure Australia.

He says Singapore solved an identical problem with a similar solution.

“(Singapore River) used to be just a muddy bank with old junks parked on the side,” he said.

“The lake now supplies fresh water to the city of Singapore, whereas before they had to import fresh water.

“Now it’s an aquatic paradise.”

Governments have promised $125,000 for 3D modelling of the proposal to be done.

The lake would be 60km long and contain 405 gigalitres of water, 80 per cent of Sydney Harbour’s 500 gigalitres.

It would be seven times the size of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.

Boats would come and go from the river through two locks.

The barrage would stop the incoming tide causing the silt choking the waterway, Mr Frith said, but the project would also rely on water authorities improving sewage disposal in the river.

Tamar Lake Inc has raised $420,000 and has completed studies on the proposal’s technical and environmental viability.

It hopes the project can begin in 2019.

David Beniuk | Tasmania Correspondent

 ABC News – Jul 2