More water for farmers after Meander irrigation scheme upgrades

Works to provide additional water to new and existing irrigators in Tasmania’s greater Meander region are now complete, just in time for the 2024 irrigation season.

Tasmanian Irrigation undertook the augmentation and improvement works for the Greater Meander Irrigation scheme, which is now providing an additional 11,000 megalitres of irrigation water to irrigators in Deloraine, Quamby, Hagley, Caveside, Dairy Plains, Dunorlan, Moltema and Western Creek

This is an increase of around 40 per cent in the irrigation water delivery capacity of the scheme.

The project involved upgrades to pump stations and the establishment of new and extended pipelines to transfer water more effectively and efficiently, while also providing improved environmental outcomes.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jane Howlett said the greater Meander area is a highly productive region, with farmers playing a vital role in the state’s agricultural sector.

“The augmentations and improvements to the scheme will now provide farmers with increased confidence and security in their ability to grow and develop their farming operations.”

“The increase in water availability provided by this project delivers significant benefits for our state and supports Tasmania’s approach to delivering resilient water infrastructure that is also environmentally sustainable,” she added.

The $20 million project was funded by the Australian Government and from sales of water entitlements in the irrigation scheme ($15 million).

Australian Government funding ($5 million) was provided through the National Water Grid Fund, as part of the Tasmanian Connections package.