Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 20 hrs ago
Tasmania lagoon faces further pressure from proposed water extraction
Henderson Lagoon, near Falmouth on Tasmania’s east coast, has shrunk from a popular swimming and holiday spot to a trickle.
Very low rainfall has left the lagoon struggling, and residents also suspect water regulation is part of the problem.
Cooltrans Pty Ltd has applied to take an additional 360 million litres from an upstream creek that feeds the lagoon.
Residents fear the extra extraction could stop the lagoon from recovering, while the application is being assessed by Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
The catchment has no formal water management plan, which could set legally binding rules for allocating water and protecting the environment.
Only 11 such plans have been formally adopted in Tasmania, according to the department’s website.
The state assessment will determine whether the requested extra extraction is approved.
An application to extract an additional 360 million litres of water upstream of Henderson Lagoon is being assessed by Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Residents fear the extraction could prevent the lagoon from recovering after it dwindled to a trickle.
The lagoon at Falmouth on Tasmania’s east coast is fed by inland streams and intermittently opens to the ocean.
The region has had very low rainfall, and locals say poor water regulation may also be contributing to the lagoon’s decline.
Residents and an environmental campaigner are calling for stronger water management, while TasFarmers says the department has been active in managing water.
- Who
- Cooltrans Pty Ltd lodged the application. Residents, Environment Tasmania and TasFarmers have commented on the issue.
- What
- Cooltrans seeks to vary an existing licence to extract an additional 360 million litres from Ferntree Glen Creek. Residents fear this could harm Henderson Lagoon.
- When
- The application was described as recent in an article published on November 7, 2026. It is currently being assessed.
- Where
- Ferntree Glen Creek, upstream of Henderson Lagoon at Falmouth on Tasmania’s east coast.
- Why
- The application is to take additional water. The reason for the requested extraction is Not stated.
Local residents and environmental advocates
TasFarmers
Water extraction and management
Local residents and environmental advocates
Residents suspect poor water regulation is partly to blame for the lagoon’s decline and fear further extraction could prevent recovery. Environment Tasmania says water management plans provide targeted environmental protections.
TasFarmers
TasFarmers chief operating officer Neil Grose said the Department of Natural Resources and Environment had been “very active” in managing water.
Nearby weather stations recorded low rainfall, including 10mm in September at Fingal and 5mm at St Helens.
Cooltrans lodged an application to vary an existing licence to extract an additional 360 million litres from Ferntree Glen Creek.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment was assessing the application.
- Proposed additional extraction
- 360 million litres
- Waterway
- Ferntree Glen Creek
- Lagoon
- Henderson Lagoon, Falmouth, Tasmania
- Fingal rainfall
- 10mm in September; 10.2mm in August; 18.2mm in July
- Formal water management plans
- 11 adopted plans listed by the Tasmanian department
- Residents’ proposed contribution
- Around $50,000 for a water management plan for the area
What people are saying
But if this [water allocation] is approved, it almost definitely won't recover.
If we're looking to increase agriculture ... [water management plans] are a key piece of infrastructure that needs to be rolled out broadly across the state.
But the government's going in the opposite direction.