Farmers back South East Irrigation Scheme

Tasmanian farmers today welcomed the go ahead for the 11,317 ha South East Irrigation Scheme.

The federal Department of the Environment yesterday cleared the way for the scheme to go ahead and be completed by 2015/16. It supplies 6000 ML of water sourced from the Derwent at Bryn Estyn and pumped east by a pipeline network.

“This extension to the existing irrigated area in the south-east will transform farmland in the area bounded by Brighton, Tea Tree, Campania, Orielton, Sorell and Forcett,” Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.

“Once again our farmers have backed a new irrigation scheme to the hilt, using their own money to invest in water allocations.

“In time, we expect this scheme will result in similar agricultural expansion as has occurred in the nearby Coal River valley. There will be new opportunities for agricultural, horticultural and viticulture enterprises in this large area of the south-east that already produces crops such as cherries, apples, salad vegetables, wine grapes, apricots, olives and walnuts.”

Ms Davis said it had been crucial for the federal authority to approve the scheme under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This was done with conditions, but not as a controlled action.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis