CEO’s Quarterly Report
By Mike Sylvester, Chief Executive Officer

The ongoing dry conditions around much of Tasmania have resulted in a near-record water delivery year for Tasmanian Irrigation.

We supplied 96,823 megalitres of water to farmers this season (year to date), just shy of the 97,730 ML delivered for the same period in 2024, which was a record-breaking year with an unprecedented total for the season of 100,593 megalitres of water delivered.

The growing demand for our high-surety irrigation water reflects the high value that farmers place on having a secure source of water to minimise risk, shield them from the impact of climate change, diversify their enterprises, boost profitability, create jobs and grow our State’s economy.

I thank the Tasmanian Irrigation team for again going above and beyond to ensure our customers receive water where and when they need it. It’s also a credit to the resilience and flexibility of our water delivery assets – from pipelines and pump stations to balance tanks and dams – that ensure water is efficiently and effectively delivered to producers.

Federal and Tasmanian Budgets were both handed down during May, and we have seen re-confirmation of the funding commitment for Tranche Three projects, including the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation and the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme. The Budgets confirm the State’s existing commitment of $111 million over the forward estimates, and the Australian Government’s commitment of $201 million over the same period.

Construction is continuing on our new irrigation projects. The 25,500 megalitre Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme is nearing completion with 147 kilometres of the 152km of pipeline now in the ground and the Poatina buffer dam is full. Tasmanian Irrigation thanks farmers, contractors, Hydro Tasmania and all other stakeholders who continue to collaborate on this important project to ensure water can be delivered in time for the 2026/27 irrigation season.

The augmentation of the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme, which will add a further 9,200 megalitres to the existing 5,760 megalitre scheme, is well underway with about 20 kilometres of pipeline installed.

To ensure that Tasmanian Irrigation operates as cost effectively and efficiently as possible, the company has just undergone an organisational realignment to ensure we have the right team in place to deliver our refreshed 2035 Strategic Plan. During this period of change and recalibration we have farewelled some colleagues. Many of you have worked with our former Chief Operating Officer David Skipper. David departed Tasmanian Irrigation in mid-April after seven years with our organisation. We wish David all the best and thank him for his hard work across our Water Delivery business, especially with our highly valued customers.

I am confident that we have the team, structure and strategy to ensure Tasmanian Irrigation is well placed to deliver the construction and operational program we have ahead of us and build a company that is truly sustainable into the future. The Strategic Plan is in the process of being finalised and we look forward to sharing it with you soon.