Final commissioning milestone ahead of launch of Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme

The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme (NMIS) has reached a significant commissioning milestone, with water successfully delivered through the network and proven to be able to be applied through on-farm irrigation infrastructure ahead of the scheme's commencement on 1 October.

The demonstration provided a clear picture of how water will flow from the scheme's network to productive farms once operations begin next week, marking one of the final stages of commissioning for the $217.96 million project.

Tasmanian Irrigation Chief Executive Officer Mike Sylvester said the on-farm demonstration showed how the scheme would deliver water directly to working farms.

"This demonstration shows exactly what the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme has been built to do: deliver highly reliable irrigation water directly to Tasmanian farms," Mr Sylvester said.

"As we move through the final stages of commissioning, we're seeing water flow through the network, through tested property outlets and onto productive farmland.

"Less than a week before the scheme becomes operational, today's demonstration provides a clear picture of how water will be delivered to irrigators throughout the inaugural irrigation season. It gives us confidence that the scheme is ready to begin delivering the benefits that farmers have invested in and have been waiting for."

The scheme begins operating at an important time, with Tasmania having experienced its driest August in 44 years and some parts of the Northern Midlands receiving less than one-third of their average August rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology’s spring outlook also indicates below-average rainfall is likely across northern and eastern Tasmania, while temperatures are likely to be above average across the State.

“These conditions reinforce the importance of highly reliable irrigation water,” Mr Sylvester said.

“This scheme will give farmers greater confidence to manage seasonal risk, diversify production and invest in their businesses.”

The NMIS is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund ($108.98 million), the Tasmanian Government ($72.26 million) and Tasmanian irrigators ($36.72 million) through water-entitlement purchases.