Federal funding for Tasmanian irrigation projects

Construction is now underway on the next round of Tasmanian Irrigation projects, which aim to support regional development and sustainable growth in Tasmania’s irrigated agriculture sector.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce said the federal government is contributing up to $60 million to the Tasmanian Irrigation Tranche II program, including $15 million towards the expansion of the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme (SHIS). Inspecting the $31 million scheme yesterday, Joyce said works were progressing quickly on the project — the first to break ground under Tasmanian Irrigation Tranche II.

The SHIS is centred around the township of Bothwell in the state’s southern highlands region — an important cropping and livestock finishing region and also one of the most drought-prone areas of Tasmania. The scheme will deliver 7215 ML of irrigation water from a holding dam approximately 17 km north-west of Bothwell to scheme participants via a 58 km underground pipeline distribution network.

“This scheme will help transform agriculture in the entire valley,” said Tasmanian Deputy Premier and Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jeremy Rockliff.

“Having the right infrastructure in the right place will give farmers the water security they need to be able to invest and diversify their businesses with confidence.”

Senator Jonathon Duniam said the Coalition government’s commitment to the Tasmanian Irrigation Tranche II program also includes $25 million approved for the Swan Valley and Duck Schemes, which are also under construction.

“We want to see job-creating, productivity-building water infrastructure projects getting underway across the country, driving greater investment and regional development to build our nation’s wealth,” Senator Duniam said.

“In addition to funding for Tasmanian Irrigation Tranche II, we are investing $1.78 million towards a $2.5 million project with Tasmanian Irrigation to fast-track a feasibility study into potential new areas for developing irrigation schemes in Tasmania.

“The Coalition government will continue to work with Tasmania in building the infrastructure needed for their agriculture sector to reach its full potential.”

For more information on Australian Government funding of irrigation in Tasmania, visit http://agriculture.gov.au/water/national/tasmania.