Increased support for Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers (TEER) Program
Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers (TEER) Program partners have welcomed today’s announcement by Tasmanian Labor to commit to the partnership with increased program investment.
The 2024 – 2028 Partnership Agreement is due to be renewed and the contribution of $130,000 per annum, along with $85,000 worth of in-kind support for laboratory analysis over the next five years, demonstrates a clear commitment to the ongoing operation of the program.
Program partners are delighted by the announcement in recognition of the value of the program.
TEER Program Chair, Shane Eberhardt, said the program fulfils a vital function in understanding and advising on waterway health throughout the estuary and its catchment.
“The kanamaluka / Tamar estuary is situated at the confluence of the North and South Esk Rivers, flowing from the largest catchment in Tasmania, and the estuary itself is recognised for its important environmental, economic and social values to the communities that live along it,” he said.
“The TEER Program has a long history of providing science and evidence to inform management of this valuable natural asset.”
The TEER Program water quality dataset is one of the longest running datasets in any estuary in Tasmania, which is regularly accessed by a range of stakeholders to inform investment planning and use of the estuary, including government, industry, and community.
Monitoring data and scientific reports produced by the program also inform priority actions and underpin important decision making to maintain and improve ecosystem health.
“This additional investment will allow the TEER Program to continue its foundational projects such as water quality monitoring in the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary and Lake Trevallyn,” Mr Eberhardt said.
“It will also provide the ability to continue the recently established Biological Monitoring Program and Freshwater Report Card, which were launched as pilot projects during the previous partnership agreement.”
The TEER Program aims to improve our scientific understanding of the issues impacting local waterways, and involves partners from local and state government, as well as key industry and research organisations.