Promising improvements in ecosystem health
28 August 2026
Tenth Kanamaluka / Tamar estuary Report Card released
There are promising signs for the health of the Kanamaluka, with the latest Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Report Card showing a large part of the waterway graded as ‘excellent’ for the first time since TEER monitoring began.
Since 2009, the TEER Program has collected monthly water samples from 16 sites along the 70 km estuary. The samples are assessed against key water quality indicators and used to grade five estuary zones from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent’, helping track changes in ecosystem health over time.
TEER Program Manager Dr Michael Murunga said the ‘excellent’ grade for zones 3 to 5 (Swan Point to Low Head) from data collected between December 2024 to November 2025, is encouraging.
“It’s really pleasing to see this stretch of the estuary recovery so strongly, especially after water quality reached its lowest point in 2018 following the 2016 flood and sediment raking,” Dr Murunga said.
While zones 3 to 5 improved, the Report Card shows ongoing challenges in the upper estuary. Zone 1 (Launceston to Legana) retains a ‘poor’ grade, reflecting influence from a large catchment with multiple urban areas, numerous sewage treatment plants, and an area poorly flushed. Zone 2 (Legana to Swan Point) recorded the biggest decline, dropping from ‘good’ to ‘fair’ due to high nutrient levels.
Dr Michael Murunga TEER Program Manager, Louise Foster NRM North CEO and Kristen Desmond West Tamar Council CEO and TEER Program Chair.
TEER Program Chair Kristen Desmond said it’s important to monitor the estuary to get a better understanding of the condition of the waterway.
“This long-term data helps us to understand how natural events and human activity influence the estuary, which helps target investment and on-ground works to improve waterway and ecosystem health,” Ms Desmond said.
Coordinated efforts to reduce pathogens and sediment loads from entering the estuary include mitigating cross-connections in Launceston’s stormwater system, rehabilitating urban creeks, improved effluent management on dairy farms, stock exclusion initiatives, and managing weeds.
The 2026 Kanamaluka / Tamar Report Card can be found at https://www.teer.org.au/tamar-estuary-report-cards