INTERSTATE friends and relatives of Tasmanians often gasp at the weather forecast for Hobart, and inquire about the snow.
Hobartians often have to explain to interstaters that the snow forecast was for Mt Wellington, which overlooks the city but is usually a damn sight colder and less hospitable in terms of weather.
On the mountain on a cold winter morning it can be sitting at freezing, with the wind chill factor making the summit somewhat Antarctic, while the sun is shining down in the city where a balmy 9C is far more comfortable.
But in the next few days that may be a little different. A series of cold fronts is expected to sweep across Tasmania over the coming days that could bring snowfall down to 150m overnight tomorrow and early on Monday. Up to 35cm of snow is expected for Tasmania’s exposed peaks, with a lighter dusting expected down towards the 150m level.
Weather experts are forecasting snow to fall across the city for the first time in almost 30 years.
Many long-term residents of the Tasmanian capital will remember the day in July 1986 when the city centre was blanketed in snow.
Snowfalls of 8cm were recorded in the morning and many, unable to get through roads such as the Southern Outlet which were closed, had the day off school and work. Most principal roads in and out of the city were closed, isolating Hobart until almost the middle of the day.
Right priority
TASWATER is doing the right thing by focusing on fixing drinking water and protecting the shellfish industry from sewerage spills as major priorities in the next three years. Protecting the Tasmania brand is critical. The state cannot afford another health scare surrounding oysters.
It is fair to say TasWater has faced a serious public backlash over the past few years, but the authority has gone to great lengths recently to explain the extent of the problems with water and sewerage infrastructure in Tasmania is so great it cannot all be done at once.
As such it is prioritising its reform agenda.
TasWater is attempting to bring a very cynical public along with it. This is a mighty challenge, as many Tasmanians are hugely frustrated by this issue.
Properly addressing these challenging issues and bringing the state into the First World and into the 21st century will require local, state and federal government support. A co-ordinated approach is the only way water and sewerage infrastructure will be brought up-to-date with modern community expectations.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein is correct in suggesting the authority could investigate adjusting its debt to equity levels to free up funds for such critical infrastructure projects.
It’s a big job, but one that must be done.
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