Another key milestone has been achieved in Tasmanian Irrigation’s infrastructure program with construction of the new 5,200 megalitre Dalness Dam now complete. As a result, water is set to flow in the New Year from the new North Esk Irrigation Scheme.
This is one of five Tranche Two irrigation schemes we have delivered, or in the process of delivering to supply farmers with the reliable water they need to continue to cultivate the first-class quality produce Tasmania is known for and create jobs in regional communities.
More than $160 million is invested by State and Federal Governments and farmers in the five Tranche 2 irrigation schemes creating 28,000 megalitres of new water entitlements in the Southern Highlands, Swan, Duck, Scottsdale and North Esk districts.
We are building the infrastructure our growing state needs. Additional irrigation also headlines Tasmania’s future infrastructure priorities with the Pipeline to Prosperity (Tranche 3) irrigation program recently submitted to Infrastructure Australia.
Pipeline to Prosperity includes another 10 potential irrigation schemes statewide with a capital cost of up to $496 million. It would return an estimated $114 million each year to the agriculture sector, and our economy more broadly, and an ongoing employment stimulus of over 3,900 direct and indirect full-time equivalents, in addition to the construction jobs.
Providing more water resources allows farmers to not only invest in higher value crops and improve farm productivity, but also provides water certainty at critical growth times, and mitigates against dry seasons.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has already committed $70 million towards this third tranche of irrigation schemes. These investments are only possible due to the Government’s strong financial management.
The continued development of our water resources is central to our Agri Food Plan and our target to grow the value of agricultural sector to $10 billion per year by 2050.
See all our targets at: https://www.tas.liberal.org.au/sites/default/files/BuildingYourFuture.pdf
More Media Releases from Guy Barnett
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water