Dutton gets jump on Labor with GSEIS announcement

With today’s announcement by the Federal Liberal Leader Peter Dutton that if elected he will fund the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme, Mr Dutton is getting the jump on Labor, TasFarmers said today. 

“The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme will turbo-charge agriculture in Tasmania’s south-east, providing 468 ongoing jobs and a net economic benefit of $291 million”, TasFarmersCEO Nathan Calman said.

“With today’s announcement, Mr Dutton is getting the jump on the Labor Government in anticipation of next year’s election. 

“It’s no secret that Labor is pulling out all stops to try and retain Lyons.

“In our view, Federal funding for this project should be a matter of when, not if, and we urge the Federal Labor Government to end the uncertainty and fund the project as soon as possible.”

Mr Calman said that TasFarmers would continue to campaign strongly for the Federal Labor Government to commit to the project.

Background 

The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme will integrate the three existing (stage 1, 2 and 3) schemes in the south east into a new, interconnected single scheme with a new water source to supply Stages 2 and 3. 

It will service existing and additional demand around Gretna, Jordan River Valley, Brighton, Richmond, Dulcot, Cambridge, Colebrook, Campania, Tea Tree, Orielton, Pawleena, Penna, Sorell, Forcett, Elderslie and Broadmarsh. 

The proposed scheme will increase the reliability of supply and support significant growth to one of the driest areas in the State. In this area, the principal primary production focus is cherries, apples, salad vegetables, wine grapes, stone fruit, cereal crops, lucerne, walnuts and olives. 

The Scheme will source water directly from Lake Meadowbank in the Derwent Valley, supplied by Hydro Tasmania. 

To date, the Tasmanian Government has committed $75 million in funding for the project, and irrigators are will progressed in pledging their $75 million share.