Irrigators Get a Sneak Peek at Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme

Tasmanian Irrigation recently welcomed farmers to the almost-complete Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme (NMIS), to see first-hand the project that will soon be delivering 25,500 megalitres of highly reliable irrigation water each year.

The event also gave irrigators an opportunity to meet Tasmanian Irrigation’s Board Chair Kate Vinot, Chief Executive Officer Mike Sylvester and the NMIS project team. They were also able to talk directly with to staff about Farm Water Access Plans and water purchase contracts and learn what they need to do to be ready to receive water when the scheme is commissioned.

NMIS Project Manager Jacob Tierney said farmers were interested to see the 650-megalitre Poatina buffer dam, which will store water before it is pumped into the scheme, and the nearby pump station that houses five 400-kilowatt pumps capable of delivering up to 170 megalitres of water each day.

“The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme is Tasmanian Irrigation’s largest scheme to date by capital value and summer water delivery capacity,” Jacob said.

“It will deliver highly reliable irrigation water through 152.4 kilometres of pipeline over a 180-day irrigation season.

“With the last section of pipeline now in the ground, construction is substantially complete and commissioning is underway, with the first irrigation season beginning on 1 October 2026.”

Tasmanian Irrigation thanked the irrigators who attended and everyone who helped make the field day a success.

The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund, the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian irrigators through the purchase of water entitlements.

NMIS Project Manager Jacob Tierney chatting with irrigators