A third consecutive record year of water delivery to Tasmanian Irrigation customers is likely following high levels of demand early in the season.

Irrigation demand is up 83 per cent so far this season, compared to the previous year, with 8,399 megalitres already delivered to the end of September. Low soil moisture levels across large areas of the south, Midlands and the east coast have been reported by farmers, who are concerned about the lack of significant rainfall and persistent high winds.

Tasmanian Irrigation delivered a record 100,600 megalitres of high-surety irrigation water in 2023/24 and 93,610 megalitres in 2024/25 – more than any other seasons. While the high volume of water delivered to farmers last season – the equivalent of more than 37,000 Olympic sized swimming pools – was due in part to increased capacity as new schemes were commissioned, it also reflected farmers’ increased dependence on Tasmanian Irrigation water.

As part of National Water Week, Tasmanian Irrigation Chief Executive Officer Mike Sylvester highlighted the direct relationship between Tasmanian Irrigation’s growing water delivery capacity and the increasing farm gate value of the State’s agricultural sector.

“With reliable access to water, irrigators diversify into higher value land uses, intensify their operations, increase yield and product quality, and have the confidence to enter into valuable supply contracts.

“For every 1,000 megalitres of Tasmanian Irrigation water supplied, in the order of 25 direct and indirect jobs are created, there is on-farm investment of between $2 million to $4 million and up to $3 million per annum of benefit is generated for the wider State economy,” Mr Sylvester said.

“We see that benefit firsthand in regional communities with new workers and families moving into communities to take up meaningful jobs; shops, schools and the local supply chain thriving; community groups and clubs starting or growing; and opportunities created for young people to stay in their communities.

“The sustainable growth of irrigated agriculture in undeniably good for Tasmania, and water is at its heart.”

National Water Week is being held from 20 – 26 October, and individuals, communities, schools and organisations are being encouraged to promote the importance of water.

Mr Sylvester said Tasmanian Irrigation recognised that water is an increasingly scarce resource.

“It is essential that all stakeholders continue to collaborate to protect and enhance the health of rivers and other waterways across the State so that industry, community and the environment can thrive,” he said.

“Tasmanian Irrigation’s customers are committed to developing and implementing Farm Water Access Plans, which are farm-specific documents that guide the responsible use of our water, to protect the long-term productivity and environmental values of irrigated farmland.”

Water delivery is already underway for nine of Tasmanian Irrigation’s operational irrigation schemes for the 2025/26 season. The remaining 10 schemes are scheduled to open on 1 November.

All schemes, with the exception of Southern Highlands, are operating with 100 per cent water allocations to irrigators, reflecting healthy dam levels across the State.

Information about the total capacity and current volume of each of Tasmanian Irrigation’s dams can be accessed on our website at Dam Dashboard - Tasmanian Irrigation. The levels are updated daily.