Work is set to begin on the $57.3 million Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme that will turbo-charge agricultural production in North-East Tasmania.
The Australian Government will commit $25.27 million to the scheme while the Tasmanian State Government will commit $20 million and farmers $12.03 million. The scheme will provide 8600 megalitres to more than 80 farmers.
The Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme is the fifth and final Tranche 2 scheme delivered by the Tasmanian State Government and Tasmanian Irrigation and will create 60 jobs during construction and 45 in ongoing support and on-farm.
In addition, the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme is operational, construction of the Swan Valley Irrigation Scheme is complete and work is well underway on the Duck and North Esk schemes.
North-East Tasmania is one of the state’s most productive agricultural regions and the Scottsdale scheme will add security of supply for more than 80 farmers and incentivise further investment and jobs in regional Tasmania.
Irrigation is integral to the Tasmanian Government’s comprehensive AgriFood Plan to grow the value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.
Farmers are genuine partners in these irrigation schemes by investing with Government in the capital works and additional on-farm infrastructure like dams, pipes and centre-pivots or drippers.
Additionally, the Tasmanian Government has committed a further $70 million for a third tranche of irrigation schemes to continue its successful partnership with the Commonwealth and farmers to deliver a further 50,000 megalitres, which represents a 50 per cent increase in water currently available under the current Tasmanian irrigation schemes.
