Farm WAP Audit Program Well Underway
By Geoff Jones, Environmental Lead - Compliance

Tasmanian Irrigation has completed about 25 per cent of the 2026 Farm Water Access Plan (Farm WAP) audit program as part of our commitment to environmental excellence.

Farm WAPs are essential for promoting sustainable use of water supplied by Tasmanian Irrigation.

We audit 10 per cent of Farm WAPs across most of our 19 operational schemes, rising to 15 per cent where biodiversity values are highest, particularly across the Midlands, where Matters of National Environmental Significance (threatened flora and fauna) occur on or near land that our scheme water reaches. We can also conduct triggered audits in response to a monitoring result, an environmental incident or a non-conformance that has not yet been closed out.

We conduct audits outside the irrigation season where possible - typically from March to September - and each audit examines three things:

• The irrigator - are the management prescriptions in the Farm WAP being followed on the ground?
• The Farm WAP - is the Farm WAP current, signed, and still fit for purpose? Operations, ownership, and environmental values can all change.
• Our Farm WAP Program - are our systems and compliance instruments robust and up to date? Maintaining the integrity of the Farm WAP Program is an explicit objective of the audit program.

Findings from that third level inform an annual internal review of the audit program and an independent auditor reviews our processes every three to five years. The Farm WAP audit program is part of our Farm WAP Framework and aligns with ISO 19011:2018.

Most audits take only an hour or two: a call ahead, a discussion of the criteria, a review of records such as irrigation schedules, soil analyses and dam licences, and a property inspection. Findings are graded as conformance, minor non-conformance or major non-conformance, with opportunities for improvement noted. Corrective actions and timeframes are negotiated with the irrigator.

It’s all part of ensuring Tasmanian Irrigation water is applied responsibly, sustainably and compliantly. If you require any additional information about Farm Water Access Plans, please email farmwap@tasirrigation.com.au or visit Farm WAPs - Tasmanian Irrigation.