Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme
Tranche One

The rich basalt soils in the Sassafras Wesley Vale area have made it one of the most highly productive agricultural areas in Tasmania. The significant level of agricultural activity has generated a high demand for water

The Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme commenced operations in November 2012 and services the Sassafras, Harford, Thirlstane, Moriarty, Wesley Vale, Northdown, Pardoe and East Devonport areas in North West Tasmania. Water supplied for this scheme is sourced from the Mersey River at Great Bend. During periods of low river flows, the reliability of supply is underpinned by releases from Lake Parangana.

Water is pumped into a small reservoir at Great Bend, before being delivered throughout the irrigation district by 85kms of pipeline. Boost pumping operates at three sites: Sassafras Pump Station, Harford Pump Station and Northdown Pump Station.

Towns / area serviced

Sassafras, Harford, Thirlstane, Moriarty, Wesley Vale, Northdown, Pardoe and East Devonport

Principal primary production focus of scheme

Poppies, cereals, pyrethrum, potatoes and other vegetables

Length of irrigation season

150-day summer delivery (depending on rainfall, additional water may be able to be supplied by the scheme outside the irrigation season)

85

KMs of pipeline

0

Dams

4

Pump Stations

0

Power Stations

Approval December 2010
Construction started October 2011
Operations commenced November 2012
Capacity 5,660 ML
Cost $12.3 million
Number of irrigators 95
Forecast opening November
Forecast closing March
Daily flow rate 36.4 ML / day
Initial water sales cost $1,130 / ML
Percentage of entitlements sold 100%
ML available to purchase 0
Operational
Order Water from the Scheme

Contacts

Please contact our friendly team for more information about the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme:

Brenden Keep
Scheme Operator
Stuart Greenhill
Irrigation Representative Committee, Chairperson