MEDIA RELEASE

Construction Underway on the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation

The amount of irrigation water available to Sassafras and Wesley Vale farmers will almost triple due to a $124.2 million augmentation of the existing scheme.

Construction is underway on a 9,200 megalitre augmentation of the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme.

Tasmanian Irrigation Chair Kate Vinot said when commissioned, the augmentation will deliver more highly reliable water to the region, giving local irrigators the confidence to invest in their farming businesses, including conversion to higher-value enterprises.

“This will increase the productivity of agricultural activity in the region and deliver broader benefits across the local and State economies. Because investing in irrigation infrastructure is about more than supporting farming,” she said.

“When we ensure a sustainable future for agriculture, we build resilience in the wider community. When farms prosper, jobs are created, small businesses that supply farms do well, families move into or have a reason to stay in communities, social infrastructure is maintained and expanded, and communities thrive.

“As well, farming businesses that have access to highly reliable water for irrigation have greater resilience in the face of a changing climate. Water from Tasmanian Irrigation is key to managing on-farm risk and ensuring sustainability.”

The augmentation has been funded by the Australian Government ($62.1 million), through the National Water Grid Fund, the Tasmanian Government ($31.05 million) and irrigators ($31.05 million) through the purchase of water entitlements. It has received environmental approval under Commonwealth legislation, with strict conditions in place to avoid or mitigate impacts on matters of national environmental significance.

Accessing water from the existing Sassafras Wesley Vale Scheme allowed Matt and Trish Ryan to move away from cropping to dairying at their Thirlstane property, with an initially small water allocation. They’ve invested in 300 megalitres from the augmentation of the scheme.

“We wouldn’t be able to farm as we do today without the existing Sassafras scheme. It’s been a game changer to enable us to change enterprises. With continued expansion of our operation, we need to make sure our access to reliable water keeps pace with our plans,” said Matt.

“Nothing compares to being able to turn the tap on and knowing the water will be there. The next phase of this scheme will shore us up for the rest of our working life and probably for the next generation too.”

Tasmanian Irrigation Chief Executive Officer Mike Sylvester said the project will enable up to 14,860 megalitres of water to be delivered between November and March each year.

“This is a very productive region of Tasmania with vegetables, berries, wine grapes and livestock production all set to expand, bringing additional jobs and wealth to the area,” Mr Sylvester said.

“There is a direct correlation between the increased capacity of Tasmanian Irrigation’s network of schemes and the growth in our State’s farmgate value.

“For every 1,000 megalitres of Tasmanian Irrigation water supplied, about 25 direct and indirect jobs are created, there is on-farm investment of between $2 million and $4 million, and up to $3 million per annum of benefit is generated for the wider State economy.

“We are proud to be helping unlock growth, innovation, employment, wealth and prosperity for many generations to come.”