Commonwealth environmental approvals have been finalised for the $124.2 million Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation, bringing this important project another step closer to the commencement of construction.

The tender for construction works opened on 11 July and will close on 2 September.

Tasmanian Irrigation’s SWISA Project Manager John Wright said he was very happy with the level of engagement from the civil construction industry.

“The project team will complete the tender evaluation process in coming months and construction is expected to commence later this year,” John said.

“We are extremely thankful to all people involved in the approvals process, and it was a great milestone to receive final approval from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in mid-August.”

Various State Government permits have been submitted and are currently under review, including Flora and Fauna, Aboriginal Heritage, Department of State Growth and Parks and Wildlife.

Once the construction contract is awarded, Tasmanian Irrigation will issue invoices to irrigators for the eight per cent deposit, which falls due when the construction milestone is reached.

John said during the first few months of construction, contractors will meet with landowners whose properties we will need access to during construction, to finalise Landowner Access Agreements.

He again thanked farmers for their support of the project, including those who will have pipe placed in the ground through their farms and those who have committed to purchasing water entitlements.

“We are all looking forward to putting some pipe in the ground and working toward delivering more high-surety irrigation water to this highly-productive area,” John said.

The existing Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme commenced operations in November 2011, delivering 5,660 megalitres to irrigators in the Sassafras, Harford, Thirlstane, Moriarty, Wesley Vale, Northdown, Pardoe and East Devonport areas.

The augmentation has the capacity to deliver an additional 9,200 megalitres of high-surety water, giving the scheme a total capacity of 14,860 megalitres.

The Australian Government committed $62.1 million to the augmentation, the State Government $31.05 million and landowners $31.05 million through the sale of water entitlements.

For more information, please contact Project Manager John Wright on 0475 108 660 or john.wright@tasirrigation.com.au.