Farmers in the Southeast of Tasmania had even more reasons to celebrate National Agriculture Day after learning that a vital irrigation project has been granted the necessary funding to proceed.
National Agriculture Day, with the theme ‘Grow You Good Thing,’ celebrates and encourages Australians to consider where their food and fibre come from.
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said its great news that work on the next stage of the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme can now proceed.
“The Tasmanian Government has no doubt about the importance of this project, one that will give South East farmers access to affordable and reliable water,” Ms Howlett said.
“It will deliver up to 37,300ML of water each year to more than 300 irrigators in Tasmania’s South East, including areas like Gretna, the Jordan River Valley, Tea Tree, Campania, Sorell, Pawleena, Forcett and Richmond.
“Businesses like StrathAyr in Richmond will be able to boost production of their turf, which they export all over the world, creating jobs and having a flow-on effect on the local economy.
“The Tasmanian Government has an ambitious target to grow the farmgate value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050, and irrigation can help us achieve that.
“The Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future sees us working side by side with our farmers to open the door to opportunity.”
Tasmanian Irrigation CEO, Andrew Kneebone, said the $150 million in federal funding meant the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme can now proceed fully.
“There are more than 300 irrigators across the scheme from Gretna to Campania to Forcett who are celebrating the funding certainty for this landmark project,” Mr Kneebone said.
“The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme will change these communities’ landscape, economy and future for the better.
“For Tasmanian Irrigation, we can now expand the project team, progress with detailed design and all the necessary environmental approvals to realise this project.
“This will be the 19th irrigation scheme that we have built, and the biggest in terms of kilometres of pipeline, the number of irrigators and economic benefits too – totalling 160km, 300-plus irrigators and $291 million net economic benefit.”
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