PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATETJENT NO.
December 1972
TAAR RIVER SEWERAGE CONTROL
The new Australian Government today took its first
step against pollution by approving a grant to help clean up
the Tamar River at Launceston.
The Government decided to give $ 300,000 in the current
financial year towards the cost of the first stage of a treatment
plant for Launceston sewerage.
The Senate Select Conmmittee on Water Pollution in 1970
singled out Tamar River pollution for mention in its report.
The committee said " Raw effluent is discharged into
the Tamar River, a practice which was aptly described by the Port
Mdanager and Port Engineer, Port of Launceston Authority, Mr.
J. K. Edwards, as ' primitive, obnoxious and beneath the standards
acceptable to any present day community'."
The Premier of Tasmania, Mr. Reece, sought the grant
today during talks in Canberra with the Prime Mlinister, r lr. Whitlam,
the Deputy Prime Minister, Mdr. Barnard, and Mr. Frank Crean, M. P.
He sought the grant to enable the Launceston Corporation
to proceed with the construction of a plant which would provide
both primary and secondary treatment facilities.
This would enable the pollution load in the Tamar River
to be reduced to a level which was acceptable from a public health
and environmental point of view.
The Commonwealth grant indicates the new Government's
desire to overcome pollution problems of the type being
experienced in the Tamar River.
CANBER! IA. A. C. T.
Whitlam, Gough
Period of Service: 05/12/1972 - 11/11/1975
Find more information on Whitlam, Gough on the:
Release Date:
15/12/1972
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2752
Document:
00002752.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Whitlam, Edward Gough
TAMAR RIVER SEWERAGE CONTROL - 15 DECEMBER 1972
2752