Add water ... and just watch everything grow

The transformative value of irrigation water in Tasmania is well understood. And that transformation is coming to one of the state’s driest areas – the south east. 

Described by locals as a tough place to farm, the region will be reshaped by more than 30,000 ML of new, highly reliable irrigation water when the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme is operational in mid-2030.

The GSEIS stands as a testament to bipartisan political support for agriculture. The 
$300 million project is made possible by investment of $75 million from the state government, a contribution of the same magnitude from farmers through buying water entitlements, and $150 million from the federal government.

With funding locked in, confidence grows and farmers can start to plan for a thriving future. 

A recent survey of producers reveals that half of respondents plan to create new jobs when the scheme proceeds, with an estimated 515 new jobs for the sector.

On-farm investment is also set to rise, with 77% of respondents indicating plans for additional capital investment in infrastructure as a direct result of accessing the scheme. 

The economics are simple - water makes farms more profitable. But getting water to farms is about so much more than that.

When farms thrive, communities do too. Employment grows, more people come into – or stay in - the community, services and activities are retained or introduced. Golf clubs, local halls, shops, schools all thrive – all the things that revolve around and create resilience in communities.

That boost to the local economy starts now, with Tasmanian Irrigation recruiting to build the project team needed to build this large, complex project. At its peak, the project is expected to employ up to 225 construction workers, including from the local contracting workforce, tasked with integrating the existing South East Stages 1, 2, and 3 schemes and completing the 160 km pipeline network.

Tasmanian Irrigation is currently offering the spare capacity of the scheme to give landowners every opportunity to be included before the detailed design is locked in and the project moves forward through approvals and construction.

It’s important not to wait until the scheme is already designed or constructed, as the design will be based on demand calculated in advance. 

Confidence in the value of irrigation has never been higher, so now is the time for farmers to commit to buying water entitlements to secure a prosperous future.