Tasmanian Irrigation has announced that it will extend the summer irrigation season for several schemes in response to pressures on farmers across the state.
Tasmanian Irrigation’s CEO, Andrew Kneebone, said that the company has listened to farmers over recent months and is closely watching weather conditions.
“It’s been a particularly tough year in terms of rainfall. We had several schemes asking us to start the summer irrigation season early because winter and early spring were dry.
“Over summer we’ve had steady demand for water due to the absence of rain and an increase in the number of hot days. The outlook from April to June is for below average rainfall in some parts of the state, and above average temperatures across the board.
“We know how much pressure these conditions put on farmers so where we can, we take action to support them by extending summer irrigation seasons. We know these extensions will help finish crops like broccolini and late potatoes and keep grass cover for dairy farms.”
Mr Kneebone said that the summer season has been extended for 12 schemes, including the recently commissioned Don Irrigation Scheme.
“The value of highly reliable irrigation water to Tasmania’s agricultural sector is very clear during dry years like this one. Tasmanian Irrigation delivers water at 95 per cent reliability across all our schemes.
“The level of demand in a scheme such as Don validates the decision to invest in its construction. And the state reaps rewards through production of water-enabled, higher value farming activities and the associated jobs growth and economic benefit.”
Mr Kneebone said that extending an irrigation season is not always possible.
“From scheme to scheme there will be local conditions that prevent this from happening. For example, this year we have essential work to undertake on augmentation of the Greater Meander Scheme as soon as the season closes.
“And on the Don scheme, the funding arrangements and scheme design mean that we will not be able to extend the summer season in future years. So that’s a one-off for 2024.
“Across the portfolio of schemes, there’s always a balance to be achieved between meeting demand that exists right now and ensuring that we are able to meet future supply commitments, especially in a changing climate.”
Tasmanian Irrigation said that the majority of the season extensions will run until 30 April.
Extended summer irrigation seasons are in effect for following schemes:
- Dial Blythe
- Don
- Great Forester
- Kindred North Motton
- Lower South Esk
- North Esk
- Scottsdale
- Southern Highlands
- Swan Valley
- Upper Ringarooma
- Whitemore
- Winnaleah
Find Irrigation Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide
-
Gloucester gas gets government go ahead
AGL has received Federal government approval to progress with Gloucester Coal Seam Gas Project. The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability,...
-
New pump station for QLD town
To improve the performance of the network and to cater for current needs and future growth in Kenilworth, Unitywater...
-
PIA General Meeting – Perth
The next Pump Industry Australia General Meeting is taking place in Perth on Tuesday 12 August 2014. The meeting...
-
Hydro Tasmania CEO steps down
Hydro Tasmania’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Davy, will step down from the position when his contract ends in late...
-
Pipeline and pump station for Wheatbelt
The Western Australian Government has announced $10.6million in funding to install an underground pipeline and a new pump station...
-
CSG well awaits pump workover
Coal seam gas exploration and appraisal company, Comet Ridge Limited, has issued an operational update on the progress of...
-
Water upgrades complete in Western Australia
Two water projects in Capel, Western Australia, have been completed, the State Government has announced. Two new bores have...
-
Solutions for HVAC: in-line and close-coupled SAER pumps
Always looking for innovative solutions to offer a complete service in terms of water management, SAER presents the L...
