The first fifty kilometres of pipeline for the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme (NMIS) are in the ground, marking significant progress on Tasmania’s newest irrigation scheme.

Tasmanian Irrigation’s General Manager Program Development and Delivery, Jacob Gerke, said that’s almost one-third of the full length of the pipeline, one of the most critical components of the scheme.

“The scheme is made up of 154.8 kilometres of pipeline, one pump station, two boost pump stations and one buffer dam.

“Around 80km of the pipeline’s length consists of 1-metre diameter HDPE pipe weighing approximately 4 tonnes per 20m piece. Working in multiple teams across the project footprint, our contractor Hazell Bros is able to install up to 160 metres per crew, per day.

“We’ve been delighted to be able to source almost all of the pipe from Tasmanian manufacturer Vinidex (formally Zezt), on the State’s north west coast. That’s just one more way this project is delivering benefit across the Tasmanian economy.”

Tasmanian Irrigation CEO Mike Sylvester said the $217.9 million scheme will give farmers the confidence to invest in their farming operations, including conversion to higher value enterprises.

“Farmers have told us that reliable access to water for irrigation is the catalyst for expansion to high-value crops such as wine grapes, leafy-green vegetables and berries, increased rotations, boosting yields, and diversifying into new enterprises,” he said.

“The Scheme will increase the productivity of agricultural activity in the region and deliver broader benefits across the local and State economies.

“We know how keenly farmers are anticipating the flow of first water from the scheme, and I’m pleased to report that the project remains on track to be operational for the 2026 / 27 summer irrigation season.”

The Northern Midlands scheme will deliver $184 million in increased farming revenue and an ongoing $54 million annual boost to the Tasmanian economy. It will support more than 150 construction jobs and almost 450 ongoing jobs.

Mr Sylvester said the benefits that flow from the scheme are enduring.

“Our irrigation schemes have a design life of one hundred years, which means the increased farmgate value enabled by them, and the jobs created by them, are inter-generational.

“We know that investment in irrigated agriculture pays dividends not just to farms and farming communities, but to the wider economy through job creation, spending in on-farm investment, agri-tourism and uplift within local supply chains.

“Irrigation is transforming Tasmanian agriculture, creating economic and social value and expanding farm production to meet the growing demand for Tasmania’s premium produce, while at the same time boosting farm resilience in a changing climate.”
The NMIS will deliver 25,500 megalitres of new, highly reliable irrigation water to 40 farmers in Cressy, Campbell Town, Epping Forest, and Ross. It will enable the irrigation of approximately 7,000 hectares.
Once operational, it will be the 20th scheme managed across the State by Tasmanian Irrigation.
The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme is funded by the Australian Government ($108.98 million), the Tasmanian Government ($72.26 million), and Tasmanian irrigators through the purchase of water entitlements on the Scheme ($36.72 million).
Northern Midlands - Tasmanian Irrigation