The Liberal Government is working to capitalise on our competitive strengths, including in agriculture.
In the recent State Budget we allocated $30 million towards five new Irrigation Schemes – at Scottsdale, Swan Valley, Southern Highlands, North Esk and Circular Head.
We welcome that the Commonwealth Government's Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper released today has identified those five 'Tranche Two' irrigation projects as among those to be considered for Commonwealth investment.
These Tranche Two schemes are of critical importance in continuing to grow our agriculture industry. That is why the Liberal Government, through an investment of $30 million, and Tasmanian Irrigation have worked together to make these projects shovel-ready as soon as possible.
The Southern Highlands and Scottsdale Schemes are on-track to be shovel-ready by the end of this year, followed by the other three in 2015.
Following the state government's investment, a $110 million Commonwealth investment would enable all five schemes to progress. We have been lobbying the Commonwealth Government to impress upon them the importance of these schemes to Tasmania.
We welcome the inclusion of the five schemes in today's Green paper and will continue to work with the Commonwealth to ensure they will be delivered.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water