South East Irrigation Scheme to unlock enormous benefits

The Tasmanian Government has lodged a revised bid for funding with the Federal Government for the $301 million Greater South East Irrigation Scheme.

Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said Tasmania’s agriculture sector was looking forward to the huge benefits the scheme would deliver.

“We are committed to funding our $75 million share of this irrigation project, which will deliver reliable water supply into what is traditionally one of the driest areas of the state,” Ms Howlett said.

“We need to grow our supply of reliable, affordable agricultural water through irrigation schemes like this to produce more food and fibre for domestic and export markets.

“Many farmers have told me how much they look forward to this vital project being built and how important it will be for their future business plans.

“This week, I again wrote to Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and requested the Australian Government’s $150 million co-funding support for the scheme as soon as possible, given its strong business case.”

The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme can deliver over 37,000ML of irrigation water in what is traditionally one of the state’s lowest rainfall areas.

It can trigger approximately $120 million of on-farm investment and a $98.7 million boost in the state’s farmgate value.
“The government, through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, will continue to invest and support our farmers and producers to create valuable jobs and build the sector’s growth,” Ms Howlett said.

Tasmanian Irrigation Acting CEO, David Skipper, said the revised submission for the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme presented a compelling case to co-fund the project.

“The scheme will bring water surety to farmers and deliver a net economic benefit of $291 million to the state. It will also create 225 construction jobs and 468 direct and indirect ongoing jobs,” he said.

“A benefit to be delivered by the scheme is the release of a significant quantity of water back to the drinking water supply for the greater Hobart region.

“Farmers have also demonstrated their commitment to the scheme, with their share of the project’s capital cost contributed through contracting to buy water entitlements on the scheme.”

Ms Howlett said the Tasmanian Government now looks forward to working with the Federal Government to bring this irrigation scheme to life as soon as possible with a positive consideration of the revised funding submission.

Image: lkonya/stock.adobe.com

Find Irrigation Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide

Brown Brothers Engineers Australia

Cummins South Pacific

Flo-Max Pumps

Related articles

• Supporting regional water utilities to provide safe water services
• Funding farmers with financial support
• Further contracts awarded for pumped hydro project
• Mareeba gets essential water infrastructure
• Irrigator’s Council backs water metering regulation changes