Tasmanian Irrigation Water Selling Quickly

Tasmanian Irrigation has sold an additional 3,909 megalitres (ML) of water entitlements on operational schemes since launching a project in 2024 to reduce the amount of available water on existing schemes.

A further 1,000 megalitres of water on these schemes is expected to be sold within the next 12 months, as well as additional water on new projects being planned and constructed.

Fifteen of Tasmanian Irrigation’s 19 operational schemes are fully allocated, meaning only four active irrigation schemes have water available for purchase.

Tasmanian Irrigation Corporate Services Manager Cody Townend said the ongoing interest in purchasing TI water was a direct reflection of the high value that irrigators place on having a secure allocation of water to minimise risk and boost profitability.

“These entitlements offer a valuable opportunity for landowners seeking secure, long-term access to irrigation water to support agricultural expansion and business resilience,” Cody said. “It was great to attend Agfest last month and to talk to farmers about the water available to purchase and we’re confident further sales will result from these discussions.”

As of 1 June 2026, water is available to purchase on the Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (415 ML); Upper Ringarooma Irrigation Scheme (900 ML); Don Irrigation Scheme (1,150 ML of summer water and 4,680 ML of winter water); and Kindred North Motton Irrigation Scheme (540 ML).

Water can also be purchased from new irrigation projects currently being planned and under construction, including the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation and the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme. It’s expected there will be little to no remaining water available to buy on the Northern Midlands scheme by the time the scheme is commissioned.

Details of currently available water can be accessed from Tasmanian Irrigation’s website: Buy Unsold Entitlements - Tasmanian Irrigation

Tasmanian Irrigation is offering flexible purchase and lease options to help landowners secure access to irrigation water. These options include outright purchase, deferred payment plans, short-term leasing and lease-to-buy arrangements that credit lease payments toward eventual ownership of the water entitlement. These options provide flexibility for farmers to align investment with their cash flow and operational needs while ensuring water is used productively across the State.

To discuss irrigation water purchasing opportunities contact Cody Townend on (03) 6398-8433 or cody.townend@tasirrigation.com.au.