The Southern Midlands irrigation scheme (SMIS) is part of the Thranche Three program proposed by Tasmanian Irrigation
The Southern Midlands irrigation scheme will be situated across the Central Highlands and Southern Midlands local government areas. The scheme also has potential to support irrigation activities in the Brighton local government area.
The region proposed for the Southern Midlands scheme currently incorporates a significant number of land holdings that provide a range of agricultural products. This varies from livestock to broadacre cropping to wool and a small amount of dairy, fruit and wine grapes. The construction of a dedicated irrigation scheme will increase the area of land able to be irrigated and support changes in agricultural activity to high value commodities, also supporting trading and movement of water between properties.
Demand for a 31,500 ML summer season was indicated from the initial Expressions of Interest process in March 2018.
A concept design for the scheme has been developed, based on sourcing water from Hydro Tasmania's Upper Derwent catchment, and supplying through the Bothwell region.
Future work on this scheme has been deferred while more advanced Tranche Tree projects are progressed. Work of the Southern Midlands scheme will recommence once the other projects are sufficiently advanced