The Liberal Government is committed to building on our competitive strengths including agriculture, to grow our primary industries and create jobs across Tasmania.
We understand the importance of reliable water to our primary industries, which is why we have invested $30 million towards the five proposed new irrigation schemes.
The great work being done by the state-owned Tasmanian Irrigation across regions including Scottsdale, Bridport, Springfield, Nabowla and Waterhouse, was evident today at the Government Business Scrutiny hearing.
Tasmanian Irrigation chief executive Chris Oldfield detailed that the number of applications for water rights in the $46 million Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme has exceeded expectations.
More than 80 applications, representing a larger than expected area, were received before the expressions of interest process closed last month.
Tasmanian Irrigation will now analyse the demand for water and model the scheme in consultation with the local irrigation working group.
The scheme will allow local dairy, livestock, poppy and vegetable farmers to irrigate their properties with reliable water sourced from the Camden Rivulet.
The Scottsdale scheme together with the Southern Highlands scheme, are on track to be shovel-ready by the end of this year, with the remaining three schemes to follow next year.
We continue to lobby the Federal Government in its consideration of funding for the schemes, which were detailed to be under consideration as part of its Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper.
Irrigation development is critical if we are to achieve the Liberal Government’s vision of growing the farm gate value of Tasmania’s agricultural industries to $10 billion a year by 2050.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
