NEW ERA FOR EAST COAST

THE economic potential of Tasmania’s East Coast broadens today with the launch at Swansea of water sales for the proposed $17 million Swan Valley Irrigation Scheme, says Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson.

The scheme will be partly funded by the Federal Government $60 million contribution to Tasmanian Irrigation’s five tranche two schemes announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, at Dalness, near Evandale a fortnight ago.

It will create a storage and pipeline network for 2000 megalitres of water sourced from the Swan River and will serve farms at Swansea, Cranbrook and Coombend.

“The launch of water sales comes just 11 days at the Prime Minister’s announcement of the $60 million irrigation funding,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.

“While already a key strength of the region, this injection into the agricultural landscape of the east Coast will boost horticulture and viticulture in the area removing the one obstacle to increased production and diversification – water.’’

Mr Hutchinson said the strength of this development will be the public private partnership between governments and farmer-irrigators.

The State Government will contribute $30 million towards the tranche two schemes.

Mr Hutchinson said he hoped that there would be a 100 per cent subscription to the 2000 megalitre of water.

Tasmanian Irrigation chief executive Chris Oldfield launched the water sales at 11am today at the Swansea Town Hall.
Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson