“Their co-operative efforts have significantly improved the health of the Derwent and their stewardship will ensure this vital restoration continues,” Mr O’Byrne said. “I congratulate the DEP for achieving this wonderful and well-deserved honour," he said.
“This is the third time it has been short-listed for this important and celebrated prize and it’s an absolute credit to the DEP’s work on reducing water pollution, conserving habitats and species, monitoring river health and promoting greater use and enjoyment of the foreshore.”
Mr O'Byrne said more than $100 million had been invested in environmental projects since the DEP was established in 1999. “The Derwent is showing signs of recovery. During the past five years, there has been an 80 per cent reduction in organic inputs, an estimated 50 per cent reduction in heavy metals, and 30 per cent reduction in sewage-derived nutrients in the estuary, as well as improvements in stormwater treatment.”
DEP Director Christine Coughanowr was in Perth, Western Australia to receive the $200,000 prize at the International Riversymposium last week. Ms Coughanowr said it was a huge thrill for the DEP to join the “big league” of past project winners which have developed major waterway projects all over Australia including the Murray and Lake Macquarie. “This is the first time the prize has been awarded to Tasmania and it really puts us up there among the leaders of river management,” Ms Coughanowr said.
The other partners in the Derwent Estuary Program are the Brighton, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough councils, the Tasmanian Government, Southern Water, Nyrstar Hobart, Tasmanian Ports Corporation and Hydro Tasmania. More information about the Derwent Estuary Program can be found at www.derwentestuary.org.au.
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