Tasmanian farmers welcomed today’s news of state government approval of the business case for the Upper Ringarooma Irrigation Scheme in the north-east.
“This scheme will be immensely valuable, particularly to dairy farmers at Alberton, Branxholm, Legerwood, Ringarooma, Talawa and Trenah,” Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“Already more than 40 farms have indicated they want water allocations when they go on sale next month.
“The Upper Ringarooma catchment is one of our best areas for beef, sheep and dairy production but only half is irrigable at the moment,” Ms Davis said.
The $28 million scheme will irrigate 15,300 ha using water stored in a proposed dam on Dunns Creek, augmented where necessary with water taken from the Ringarooma River. It will be distributed during the growing season via 42 kilometres of underground pipes.
It will be the third north-east irrigation scheme after the Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Augmentation and the Headquarters Rd Dam near Scottsdale.
“Once again, our farmers are stumping up with the cash to secure their future,” Ms Davis said.
Jan Davis TFGA Chief Executive http://www.tfga.com.au/
