Water from new irrigation scheme gives farmers new hope

A new irrigation scheme in Tasmania's Northern Midlands is providing much-needed relief to farmers during a particularly dry spring. Known as the Tasmania Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, it has been estimated to support around $108 million of economic activity in the region over the next two years. After a 10-year wait, farmers are finally benefiting from the scheme's water supply.

Farmer Richard Burbury expressed that the timely arrival of the scheme is crucial, as without it, the entire district would come to a standstill. The scheme, which spans 150 kilometers of underground pipelines, diverts water from Hydro Tasmania's central highlands storages. It will supply 25 billion liters of water annually for high-value crops such as poppies, potatoes, and processing peas, in addition to vegetable seeds and feed for beef and sheep operations.

Farmers like Burbury and Pat and Mady Taylor have already started irrigating new areas and plan to expand their operations using the water from the scheme. The scheme has cost $217 million to build, funded by federal and state governments, and was primarily paid for by about 50 local farmers. The wider benefits to the community are expected to be significant, supporting around $54 million per annum of total economic activity across the Northern Midlands region.