Break O’Day Council, on Tasmania’s north east coast, recently won the Gold Award for Excellence at the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s 2003 Annual Conference. Council also won the Environment Innovation Award for its marine waste pump out facility on the commercial wharf at St Helens.
The first such pump in Tasmania, it protects the unique marine environment of Georges Bay by enabling boats to pump out their toilet waste 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With a booming aquaculture industry (famous for Georges Bay oysters) and recreational boating fraternity, the bay was under significant environmental pressure.
Environmental Health Officer, Tony Walker, said Council provided land based sewage reticulation, improved stormwater infrastructure and upgraded septic tanks around the bay.
“One identified risk to the long term health of the bay was the high number of vessels using toilets and emptying sewage tanks into the bay,” he said. “This posed a risk to both the oyster industry and recreational users. The pump out facility has only just commenced operation, but the early indications are that it will be an enormous success.”
Tony Walker said coastal volunteers, who are the main contact point for visiting boats, needed after hours access. He said a floating seafood restaurant moored on Georges Bay wharf connected its own sewerage and grey water to the facility, solving its waste problems.
“The fact that waterfront businesses can now be connected directly to Council’s sewerage reticulation system is a huge added bonus, allowing for better waterfront development.”
Council consulted groups including St Helens Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, the Rock Lobster Association, the Professional Fishermen’s Association, local boat builders and other marine users before building the facility. It complies with the State Water Quality Policy under the State Policies and Projects Act 1994.
Tony Walker said the project arose from Council’s five year strategic planning process and received enormous public support.
“We’ve got some difficulties here in Tasmania, in that government regulations don’t require holding tanks on boats because there are no shore based pump out facilities,” he said. “I’m hoping that other Councils will do the same, then we can put pressure on the Government to change marine safety regulations.”
For further information contact Tony Walker, email tony.walker@bodc.tas.gov.au or telephone (03) 6376 1281.
