The strategic approach behind the irrigation development underway in Tasmania was acknowledged by national leaders of the infrastructure industry at an awards ceremony in Sydney last night.

Most of Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects were entered in the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia National Infrastructure Awards.

Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd earned the Smart Infrastructure Project Award for its development of a suite of regionally significant irrigation schemes.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Bryan Green congratulated TI and its farmer partners on the achievement.

“Not only did the judges select Tasmania’s irrigation development program as the nation’s smart project of the year, TI also was shortlisted for the category of Excellence in Government Partnerships,” Mr Green said.

“The award recognises the use of smart technologies, design and delivery of infrastructure services.

“Other projects entered in the Infrastructure Partnerships Awards included the Port Botany expansion, the Wiggins Island coal export terminal, the Perth desalination plant and Victoria’s new Royal Childrens Hospital.

“The fact that the Tasmanian irrigation development can not only compete against much larger projects but also take out one award and be shortlisted for another is acknowledgment of the rigour and thought which surrounds the program,” Mr Green said.