Joint media release: Boost for Tassie farmers

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
Jo Palmer MP, Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Brian Mitchell MP, Federal Member for Lyons

The Albanese Government is today announcing over $170 million to provide water security to Tassie farmers and boost the economy.

Funding included in last month’s federal budget includes $109 million for construction of the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme and $62.1 million for construction of the Sassafras-Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation.

These projects, co-funded by the Rockliff Government, will employ over 150 Tasmanians in construction and support almost 450 ongoing jobs into the future.

The projects include pipelines and pumping stations and are expected to make more than 40GL of additional water available annually.

It means almost 15,000 extra hectares of land in Tasmania will have access to irrigation bringing a $53.6 million boost to the Tasmanian economy every year and $184 million in increased farming revenue.

The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme is due for completion 2025 and Sassafras-Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation due for completion 2026.

Quotes from the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“Water is one of our country’s most precious resources.

“Labor knows how important increasing irrigation in Tasmania is, to provide water security for farmers and drive economic growth for the state.

“That’s why we have invested over $170 million to fund construction for these two critical irrigation projects.

“The projects will unlock hundreds of Tasmanian jobs and more agriculture in Tasmania.

“It’s a win for Tassie farmers, a win for jobs and a win for the economy.”

Quotes from Minister Jo Palmer, Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water:

“The expansion of sustainable irrigated agriculture is a key element of our Agri-Food Plan and target to sustainably grow the value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.

“Irrigation is transforming Tasmanian agriculture, creating jobs and expanding farm production to meet the growing demand for Tasmania’s premium produce and boosting farm resilience in a changing climate.

“Across Tasmania there are so many examples of farmers who have diversified from traditional grazing to high-value horticultural crops after being given the opportunity to access water from one of Tasmanian Irrigation’s 18 operational schemes around Tasmania. 

“The Rockliff Liberal Government is working with the Australian Government and landowners to continue to deliver irrigation infrastructure that is the envy of the nation.

“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is investing $72.3 million into the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme and $31 million into the Sassafras-Wesley Vale Scheme.”

Quotes from Brian Mitchell, Federal Member for Lyons:

“The Australian Government's investment in Tasmanian irrigation continues to transform our state's agricultural landscape, creating value for farmers and new economic opportunities for regional communities.

“My electorate is full of passionate farmers who will reap the benefits, and the creation of local jobs for regional Tasmania is a win-win situation.”