Tasmanian farmers welcomed today’s announcement of federal funding for the second tranche of five irrigation schemes, saying it would underpin the transformation of agriculture and regional communities as water for farms became more and more secure.
The $60 million announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be added to the state government’s $30 million and about the same from farmers to further develop schemes proposed for the Southern Highlands, Scottsdale, Circular Head, the Swan Valley and the North Esk. All are at different stages of approval.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association president Wayne Johnston said the Tasmanian Irrigation model of a public/private partnership had proved itself.
“When the schemes are completed, we will have about $1 billion worth of new infrastructure in terms of delivery to the farm boundary and on-farm pipework, storage and pivot irrigators on the farms themselves,” he said.
“Of that, farmers will be spending over $500 million on water and on farm infrastructure. That is an enormous investment for a small population of farmers.”
Mr Johnston said the Australian Government had been a staunch and generous supporter of the rollout of Tasmanian irrigation schemes, which actually topped the government’s national priority list for water schemes.
“At the same time, Tasmania governments here have never faltered in their support and much credit has to go to Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff for keeping up the pressure.
“It means we get to live the dream that would have seemed unimaginable from the date of settlement until just a few years ago,” Mr Johnston said.
“We largely liberate some of Tasmania’s most fertile areas from the constraints and uncertainties of drought. We get 95 per cent reliability of water, near certainty and farmers love that.”
TFGA president Wayne Johnston
