A project to rehabilitate a local lagoon at Sorell in southern Tasmania will ultimately transform the region through effluent reuse as irrigation. Unlike most of Tasmania, the Sorell region has a relatively dry climate. This has restricted the variety of farming possible and contributed to odour and other problems in the Orielton lagoon which is separated from the sea by a road.
“Due to the low rainfall, high weirs and insufficient tides to flush the lagoon through existing culverts, it had become a dead ecosystem,” said Sorell’s Manager Engineering Services, Max Melton.
Further problems were created by outfall from one the area’s two wastewater treatment plants. Culverts have now been enlarged and lowered to achieve an improvement in the lagoon’s water quality. It is also currently building the infrastructure which will divert sewerage effluent from the wastewater plants to be used as irrigation water for the Penna Valley.
As well as restoring the habitat to accommodate migratory birds and other fauna, Max Melton said the Orielton Lagoon Irrigation/Effluent ReUse Scheme’s ability to irrigate the valley will allow local farmers to grow crops previously impossible.
“Already some farmers are showing keen interest,” he said. “Although there will be initial costs in setting up farms to take advantage of the Scheme the benefits will be considerable.
“At the moment some orchardists are paying $850 per megalitre for water whereas we will be able to offer it at $45 per megalitre.
The development of new market crops able to thrive on the nutrient rich water, include cherries, apricots, pyrethrum, seed crops and olives. This is expected to increase local export revenue by an estimated $1.7 million per year.
In the long run, it is also expected to transform what was a wheat growing district in the 1800s into a green landscape, though Max Melton concedes this will take time.
Max Melton said that while other Councils have carried out similar activities he believes it is the largest scheme of its kind and the first time a Tasmanian Council has planned to sell irrigation water to render the Scheme cost neutral.
The Scheme was fully assessed for its viability and environmental impact. It will cost $1.3 million, funded by the State and Federal Governments, Landcare and Council. It is expected to generate approximately 42 full time jobs and will be completed by June 1999.
For further information contact Max Melton, telephone (03) 6265 2201.
