The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today called on farmers in the far north-west to back the proposed Circular Head Irrigation Scheme.
Expressions of interest from farmers for water allocations close on January 18.
The Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd scheme will deliver 20,000 megalitres of water to farms at Togari, Woolnorth, Montagu, Edith Creek, Roger River, Mella, Forest and Irishtown using water harnessed from the Arthur River.
The demand from farmers, through their expressions of interest, will determine the layout of the scheme and, indeed, whether it proceeds.
“It is no good keeping your powder dry to a later date. It’s now or never,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“If you don’t make your bid, they won’t know whether to bring water to your boundary.”
Ms Davis said that farmers had backed other irrigation schemes already operating and underway.
“For every dollar of public money, they are putting in five of their own,” she said.
Tasmanian Irrigation hopes to progress engineering options together with a socio-economic study through to April and consider a preferred option in May.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
