Tasmanian Irrigation’s Program Development and Delivery Team is proud to deliver irrigation projects from concept to water delivery, ensuring schemes are designed to be in operation for the next generation of farmers and beyond.
The Program Development and Delivery Team has completed the design, planning and construction of 10 Tranche One projects and a further five Tranche Two projects. These 15 schemes have now been handed to the Water Delivery Team to manage the ongoing operation and delivery of irrigation water to landowners.
In December 2020, Tasmanian Irrigation also commissioned a 6.5km interconnect pipeline between Richmond and Tea Tree Road to enable water to flow between South East Stages Two and Three, providing greater flexibility to manage water delivery to irrigators in these two schemes.
Now, the primary focus for Program Development and Delivery, is the development of 10 Tranche Three projects.
There are a number of important steps incorporated into developing a new irrigation scheme, including:
- Community consultation;
- Expressions of interest;
- Launch of preferred design option;
- Water sales;
- Contracts with landowners;
- Final design;
- Business case;
- Permits and approvals;
- Construction; and
- Commissioning.
Before a landowner can access irrigation water from a Tasmanian Irrigation scheme, they must have a water entitlement contract, a property outlet, a Connection Agreement and a Farm Water Access Plan (Farm WAP).
A connection agreement provides the link between water entitlements and land by specifying the location at and terms under which water can be taken from the scheme
A Farm Water Access Plan is a management tool that identifies and manages environmental risks associated with the application of water. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the use of water is sustainable and complies with Australian and Tasmanian Government requirements.
Along the way, risks are continually evaluated as the design progresses in terms of environment, social acceptability, cost and economic outcomes.
As these schemes rely on a unique public / private partnership and funding model, all stakeholders are engaged and consulted to ensure key needs are met.