Mac Point transfer on track

TASWATER says it is on track to have the Macquarie Point wastewater treatment plant relocated to Selfs Point by 2025, removing a major impediment to development at the prime waterfront site.

The project’s budget remains $140m, with the state government agreeing to contribute $100m.

The sewerage works have been considered a major stumbling block to a potential $1bn worth of development at Macquarie Point.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, State Development Minister Guy Barnett said a “critical milestone” had been reached, with TasWater undertaking an environmental impact study to move the plant to Selfs Point.

Mr Barnett said tenders were ready to be released for the design of a new sewage pump station and emergency storage, an interconnecting rising main between Macquarie Point and Selfs Point and a significant upgrade and expansion of the existing treatment plant at Selfs Point.

“This is a significant project with completion of the decommissioning of the Macquarie Point waste water treatment plant due by 2025,” he said.

“I’d like to thank TasWater for its work to get to this important milestone, which signals another important step in the Macquarie Point development process.”

The cost of the entire wastewater plant relocation has been previously estimated at $140m.

The 2020 sale of Elizabeth St Pier will contribute $30m to the government’s $100m share.

A TasWater spokesman said removal of the wastewater treatment plant was critical to development at Macquarie Point.

“TasWater has been working on this project for some time and is now ready to release tenders seeking design partners,” the spokesman said.

“It is on track for completion by 2025.”