From little things big things grow

Farmers in the South East have even more reasons to celebrate on National Agriculture Day, following news that a vital irrigation project has been granted the funding it needs to go ahead.

National Agriculture Day, with the theme Grow You Good Thing, is a time to celebrate and encourage Australians to think about where their food and fibre comes from.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the great news this week is that work on the next stage of the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme can now proceed.

“The Tasmanian Government has no doubt about the importance of this project, one that will give the South East’s farmers access to affordable and reliable water,” Minister Howlett said.

“It will deliver up to 37,300 megalitres of water each year to more than 300 irrigators in Tasmania’s South East, including areas like Gretna, the Jordan River Valley, Tea Tree, Campania, Sorell, Pawleena, Forcett and Richmond.

“Businesses like StrathAyr in Richmond will be able to boost production of their turf, which they export all over the world, which creates jobs and has a flow on effect to the local economy.

“The Tasmanian Government has an ambitious target to grow the farmgate value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050 and irrigation can help us achieve that.

“Tasmania has a remarkable opportunity to leverage our strengths in agriculture.

“The Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future sees us working side by side with our farmers to open the door to opportunity.”

Tasmanian Irrigation CEO Andrew Kneebone said the $150 million in Federal Funding meant the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme could now progress full steam ahead.

“There are 300-plus irrigators across the scheme from Gretna to Campania to Forcett who are celebrating the funding certainty for this landmark project,” Mr Kneebone said.

“The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme is going to change the landscape, economy and future for these communities for the better.

“For Tasmanian Irrigation, it means we can now expand the project team, progress detailed design and all the necessary environmental approvals to realise this project.

“This will be the 19th irrigation scheme that we have built, and the biggest in terms of kilometres of pipeline, the number of irrigators and economic benefits too – totalling 160 kilometres, 300-plus irrigators and $291 million net economic benefit.

“While the Federal Funding uncertainty has caused delay, we continue to work hard to deliver this water by 2028/29.”