General News
7 July, 2026
Sewerage studies pushed back more than a decade
AN investigation into the feasibility of introducing sewerage services to Tolga and Herberton has been thrown back more than 10 years.
Tablelands Regional Council voted to defer the investigation into providing sewerage services to both towns until 2037-38 at its last meeting, with Cr Kevin Cardew the only councillor who voted against the move.
The issue was first raised in December 2024 by Cr Kylie Lang who advocated that the growing Tolga area should have sewerage services to “truly unlock” the town’s potential for growth where “residents and businesses alike can flourish in a safe, sustainable environment adequate sewerage utilities”.
The move had strong backing from Cr Cardew who advised that some people had spoken to him about wanting to start a business in the Tolga CBD but were “hamstrung” by the lack of sewerage being available.
Cr Cardew took this further in January 2025, calling for a similar investigation into sewerage services for Herberton.
At the time, he said sewerage ran down the gutters of the town in the wet season.
“Because Herberton is built on rock, you get sewerage seepage through the layer of the rock,” he said.
That resolution was backed by all councillors except for Mayor Rod Marti and Cr Dave Bilney.
But at TRC’s latest meeting, a financial report recommended that both feasibility studies into sewerage services for Tolga and Herberton be deferred until 2037-38.
“Considering the proposed timing and sensible management of available budget resources, it is recommended that the following feasibility study resolutions be rescinded, and an operational budget for these studies be added to the 2037-38 financial year,” the report stated.
“This defers the studies until sufficient financial capacity exists to progress the construction of sewerage services, should the studies support such an outcome.”
The council agreed to the deferment, with the exception of Cr Cardew.
