Derwent Estuary Program

15/04/2026

FortySouth's Tasmanian-based writer Katherine Johnson has written a delightful article about the Ceramic Art Burrows for Hobart Little Penguins! You can read it at https://fortysouth.com.au/art-meets-science-in-the-service-of-little-penguins/. (You can also check out the beautiful images captured by Peter Whyte of the ceramic burrows made by ceramic artist Jane Bamford.)

If you'd like to hear more about the project, and see one of the ceramic burrows in person, head along to the free public talk which will be held at TMAG Royal Society Room on 23 April from 2pm to 4pm.

FREE registration is available at https://www.trybooking.com/DKKFY

07/04/2026

A new flow gauge has been installed on the lower River Derwent, just above New Norfolk.

The work was funded by the DEP and installed by Pinion Advisory, and has now been handed over to NRE Tasmania for management and public data sharing.

This fills an important gap in Tasmania’s flow‑gauge network. Combined with a real‑time analyser at the site, the data will help us better assess water quality and identify pollution sources to support targeted catchment management.
Final checks are underway, with public access to the data expected in late April/early May.

Thanks to Pinion Advisory, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and DEP staff and Board for making this happen.

30/03/2026

Ceramic Art Burrows for Hobart Little Penguins

Join us on Thursday 23 April for an afternoon discussion an arts and science project in service of Hobart’s Little Penguins.

The arts- and science-based initiative began in response to the degradation of habitat of the Little Penguins and is an innovative approach to enhancing nesting habitats, engaging the community, creating local environmental connection to Little Penguins in the Derwent Estuary, and promoting the benefits of art in science-based projects.

The project group comprises four individuals involved in this unique collaboration – Katherine Johnson (writer), Peter Whyte (photographer), Ellie Green (ecologist), and Jane Bamford (ceramic artist).

Support provided by City of Hobart .

🗓 Thursday 14:00–15:30 pm 23 April
📍Royal Society Room, TMAG (entry via administration building, 19 Davey Street)
🆓 The event is FREE to attend, but registrations are essential.
🎟 https://www.trybooking.com/DKKFY

26/03/2026

We were very pleased to report on the improvement in water clarity in the lower and middle estuary when we launched the 2025 State of the Derwent Report last week. Monitoring data also showed declines in zinc concentrations at multiple sites. These positive trends show the effect of ongoing and sustained management.

The Derwent Estuary Program’s 2025 report provides a comprehensive update on water quality, habitats and wildlife across Timtumili Minanya/the River Derwent and estuary.

Read the full report at https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/state-of-the-derwent/

22/03/2026

Our Clean Up Australia Day event last week was a great opportunity to launch our 2025 State of Timtumili Minanya/Derwent Report.

Hear from CEO Ursula Taylor about the preparation and results of this great body of work.

Read the report online at: https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/state-of-the-derwent/

16/03/2026

A massive thank you to everyone who attended last week's Clean Up Australia Day event. We were joined by 23 people representing Nyrstar Australia - Hobart, Brewlab, Glenorchy City Council, EPA Tasmania, Prince of Wales Bay Marina, Incat and local residents.

It was fantastic to come together and make a significant dent in the rubbish collected at Prince of Wales Bay.

In total, we managed to remove 640 kg of rubbish, which is a truly outstanding effort.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our next event in 2027.

02/02/2026

It is World Wetlands Day!

A wetland close to our hearts right now is the saltmarsh restoration project. To assess the benefits our saltmarsh restoration project has had for local fish populations, we have been conducting high tide fish surveys down at Windermere Bay with the University of Tasmania. We have completed four summer day-time samples and have caught and released over 700 fish from five species in the two fyke nets. The majority of fish caught have been the common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus), however we’ve also caught some large schools of juvenile yelloweye mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri).

Over winter we plan to conduct an additional four night-time surveys. We look forward to sharing the results from this exciting study with you later in the year!

(We are supported in this project by funding from the Australian Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.)

20/01/2026

Beach Watch update: We’ve been advised of an operational issue at the Rosny Sewage Treatment Plant that may temporarily affect the quality of treated effluent entering the estuary. The effluent is disinfected and there is a very low risk to water quality. As a precaution we’ve updated our Beach Watch forecast for Clarence beaches to Pollution is Possible.
Council and TasWater have taken water quality samples, and we’ll share updated advice as soon as results are available. At this stage, beaches remain open, and no closures are required. For the latest Beach Watch information visit: www.derwentestuary.org.au/beach-watch

TasWater, City of Clarence

Looking for a clean beach to swim at in Hobart? Beach Watch is a collaborative monitoring program between councils and state government. It runs from the start of December to the end of March each year.

11/01/2026

We are now a full six months on from saltmarsh restoration works occurring at Windermere Bay.

Late spring and summer have seen lots of rainfall, hot days and some very high tides flowing over the freshly scraped saltmarsh area at Windermere Bay. This return of natural tidal flows has seen the vegetation start to re-establish, and fresh growth of Beaded Samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) can be observed growing across the recently excavated area!

In established areas of the saltmarsh more inundation-tolerant species are starting to pop up such as Shiny Swampmat (Goodenia radicans) and Creeping Brookweed (Samolus repens). Several new species were also recorded at the site including Coarse Twinerush (Apodasmia brownii) and Water Buttons (Cotula coronopifolia).

We can’t wait to see what happens in the future!

Special thanks to those who have been involved so far. We are supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

03/12/2025

27/11/2025

It feels like Beach Watch time! Find out more at https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/beach-watch/

26/11/2025

It's summer next week and while the weather may not exactly be cooperating, it is time for DEP to get everyone beach ready! We had a great intercalibration event with the councils yesterday when we all got together to collectively measure water quality at our swimming sites.

City of Hobart City of Clarence Glenorchy City Council Brighton Council Derwent Valley Council