Today’s announcement by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments that work will begin immediately on the $57.3 million Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme will turbo-charge agricultural production in North-East Tasmania.
The Australian Government will commit $25.27 million, the Hodgman Liberal Government $20 million and farmers $12.03 million to the scheme which will provide 8600 megalitres to more than 80 farmers.
The Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme is the fifth and final Tranche 2 scheme delivered by the Hodgman Liberal Government and Tasmanian Irrigation and will create 60 jobs during construction and 45 in ongoing support and on-farm.
The Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme is operational, construction of the Swan Valley Irrigation Scheme is complete and work is well underway on the Duck and North Esk schemes.
North-East Tasmania is one of our most productive agricultural regions and the Scottsdale scheme will add security of supply for more than 80 farmers and incentivise further investment and jobs in regional Tasmania.
Irrigation is integral to the Tasmanian Government’s comprehensive AgriFood Plan to grow the value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.
Farmers are genuine partners in these nation-leading irrigation schemes by investing with Government in the capital works and additional on-farm infrastructure like dams, pipes and centre-pivots or drippers.
Additionally, the Hodgman Liberal Government has committed a further $70 million for a third tranche of irrigation schemes to continue our successful partnership with the Commonwealth and farmers to deliver a further 50,000 megalitres, which represents a 50 per cent increase in water currently available under the current Tasmanian irrigation schemes.
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