The South Arm Recycled Water Pipeline will reuse and deliver irrigation water to the South Arm Peninsula.

The National Water Grid Fund is a $3.5 billion scheme of the Australian Government to finance water infrastructure investments across the country.

Under the fund, each state is entitled to up to $20 million to deliver projects with a federal contribution of up to $5 million per project.

The Tasmanian Ministry for Industrial Development will dedicate federal funding to the South Arm Recycled Water Pipeline, which will transfer water from Blackmans Bay Water Treatment Plant to the South Arm Peninsula.

Assistant Minister for Industry Development and Senator for Tasmania Jonathon Duniam was positive about the benefits of the scheme.

“Tasmania is already leading the nation in terms of new sustainable irrigation schemes that are boosting agriculture towards our goal of $10 billion value at the farm gate by 2050,” he said.

Tasmanian Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett said the Tasmanian Government welcomed federal funding for water projects in Tasmania under the National Water Grid Connections funding pathway initiative.

“Tasmania is already leading the nation in terms of new sustainable irrigation schemes that are boosting agriculture towards our goal of $10 billion value at the farm gate by 2050,” he said.

“These new projects will deliver enhanced water quality and reliability while also promoting regional economic growth and sustainability, particularly in areas like south-east Tasmania.

“This project is an excellent example of the wise use of water, because we are providing sustainable irrigation water to communities without extracting water from our river systems,” Barnett said.

Arm End Project Manager Craig Ferguson said the project was close to achieving its goal of providing Class A water to the peninsula and all users.

“This infrastructure will be provided free of charge by Arm End to benefit the entire community of South Arm,” Ferguson said.

“Our future goal is that the South Arm community has access to Class A water in a Tasmanian-first project which takes recycled water and converts it for community and agricultural use. The South Arm Pipeline project has the potential to transform the peninsula just as the Coal River Valley water scheme has done.”

For more information visit the Ministers for the Department of Industry, Science and Energy Resources website.