The Northern Midlands irrigation scheme in Tasmania continues to notch milestones, with more than 100km of pipeline complete.
Once finished, this pipeline will deliver water to nearly 9000 hectares of farmland, providing access to 25.5 billion litres of water for local farmers.
The Poatine and Valleyfield pump stations will see complementary works undertaken on balance tanks continue into early next year, while key infrastructure works have been completed at the Poatina buffer dam – another important asset in ensuring water security for the Northern Midlands.
The irrigation scheme, which is set to deliver water from summer 2026, is already providing flow-on benefits, with local farms planning to expand their businesses, ink new crop and livestock contracts and bring on more workers.
The scheme itself has created 150 jobs during the construction phase.
“The Northern Midlands irrigation scheme is powering ahead, delivering local jobs in the short term for construction, and the long-term on the land,” Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said.
“We’re pleased to be helping to secure long term water supply for Tasmanian farmers, with $108 million invested by the Albanese Government through the National Water Grid to bring this program to life.”
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce said the scheme was a “transformative project” for local farmers.
“We’ve invested more than $72 million in this project, highlighting our ongoing commitment to deliver the water security our farmers need to invest and grow,” he said.
The Northern Midlands irrigation scheme accompanies a $2 billion investment TasWater is carrying out to deliver water and sewerage upgrades across the state.
This will see the standardisation of water infrastructure across Tasmania, including water treatment plants and the construction of new pump stations.
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