Under a National Partnership Agreement the Australian Government provided $140 million towards the development of modern and efficient irrigation in Tasmania. This will assist Tasmania to ensure that the water resources within its irrigation sector are used in a sustainable and efficient manner. The Tasmanian Government has also committed up to $80 million from its Water Infrastructure Fund.
The 'Implementation Plan for Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania' under the National Partnership Agreement sets out the Conditions of Australian Government investment in Tasmanian irrigation projects.
Projects funded by the Australian Government
All projects managed by Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd, a Tasmanian Government owned company.
Headquarters Road Dam Irrigation Scheme
Project completed December 2011.
The Headquarters Road Dam Irrigation Scheme is a 1980 ML dam which has been built on the headwaters of the Great Forester catchment, near Scottsdale. The dam harvests winter water for release during the summer irrigation season to deliver water to properties downstream across an irrigable area of 1800 ha.
Whitemore Irrigation Scheme
Project completed December 2011.
The Whitemore Irrigation Scheme delivers over 5500 ML of water to irrigation communities near Bracknell through 40 km of pipeline across 12,000 ha of farmland. This water is sourced from the tailrace of Hydro Tasmania's Poatina Power Station the scheme also provides increased water security for Carrick and Bracknell as a back up water supply.
Sassafras-Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme
Project completed December 2011.
The Sassafras-Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme supplies up to 5460 ML of water sourced from the Mersey River via 74 km of pipes to irrigators within the Sassafras Wesley Vale region of northern Tasmania. The scheme services about 120 farms covering more than 10,000 ha.
Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Augmentation
Project completed June 2012.
The Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Augmentation delivers an additional 3700 ML of water to irrigation communities near Winnaleah, through 14 km of pipeline. . The augmentation allows for the greater utilisation of the Cascade and Frome Dams flowing into the one scheme. The augmentation to the existing scheme services 38 farms across about 4500 ha and has the capacity to deliver additional water (subject to availability) outside the irrigation season to fill on-farm storages.
Lower South Esk Irrigation Scheme
Project completed October 2013
The Lower South Esk Irrigation Scheme, located in Tasmania's northern midlands will supply up to 5,300ML of high reliability irrigation water over more than 41,000 hectares. It will benefit between 16 and 24 irrigators along the South Esk River from Milford Dam to Longford as well as communities in Longford, Perth and Evandale.
Midlands Water Scheme
Project completed July 2014
The Midlands Water Scheme supplies up to 38,500 ML of high reliability irrigation water over more than 55,000 ha. It will benefit approximately 350 to 400 irrigators in the central and southern Midlands regions of Tasmania. Up to 15,822 ML will be available during a 150-day summer period with the remaining 22,678 ML available during a 215-day winter supply period.
Kindred North Motton Irrigation Scheme
Project completed 4 February 2014
The Kindred North Motton Irrigation Scheme (KNMIS) delivers around 2500 ML of high reliability water to irrigators near the River Forth on the north-west coast of Tasmania to an irrigable area of 8485 ha. The project will provide wide ranging benefits in terms of regional development, drought security and climate change adaptation benefits and will enable the development of new cropping areas.
Upper Ringarooma Irrigation Scheme
Project completed 29 June 2015
The Upper Ringarooma Irrigation Scheme (URIS) constructed a 6500 ML earth-fill dam on Dunns Creek to provide 5700 ML of high reliability water to irrigators via the Ringarooma River and 38.5 km of underground distribution pipelines. The project provides wide ranging benefits in terms of regional development, drought security and climate change adaptation
South East Irrigation Scheme
Project completed June 2015
The South East Irrigation Scheme (SEIS) will deliver up to 3000 ML of summer water annually to the south east region at greater than 95% reliability. The project will provide wide ranging benefits in terms of regional development, drought security and climate change adaptation and will enable expansion of existing production in fresh market vegetables, stone fruit and cool climate grapes.
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