Bid to break blockage to Mona vision

TASWATER is working with Mona to break an impasse which has stalled David Walsh’s plans to expand his museum, arts and accommodation complex.

TasWater has hinted that there could be an end to Mona’s Cameron Bay woes, saying it is thinking of solutions to problems at the sewage treatment plant, which is preventing further development in the area.

The award-winning museum has plans for a $6 million caravan park accommodation proposal – called Hobo – in Berriedale which has been delayed because of issues with the nearby non-compliant treatment plant and its emissions.

The treatment plant has also put the brakes on Mona’s plan to build a $300 million luxury hotel, called Homo, on its Berriedale peninsula site.

The treatment plant’s impacts on the developments have been held up as a reason why TasWater should be taken over by the State Government.

But during the resumption of Legislative Council committee hearings into the proposed takeover on Friday, TasWater chairman Miles Hampton said the water and sewerage utility was discussing a solution to the impasse with Mona.

“It is a plant that we would be revisiting whether it should be there full stop,” he said. “We could potentially spend some money on reducing the [400m] attenuation zone.”

TasWater chief executive Mike Brewster said TasWater and Mona had met late last week and were looking at all options to fixing the issue at Cameron Bay.

“Mona are certainly interested in all sorts of alternatives,” he said. “We should be looking at all options.”

The Upper House committee also heard from Brighton Council on Friday, about the impact a State Government acquisition could have on councils who receive significant funds from TasWater dividends each year.

As part of its takeover pitch, the State Government has guaranteed distributions to councils until 2024-25 and from then would provide them with half of all returns from the Government Business Enterprise. Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said his council would lose significantly and rates would have to rise 18.1 per cent.