The NMIS has a total forecast cost of $217.9 million and will supply highly reliable irrigation water every year to approximately 50 irrigators. The scheme is underpinned by large Hydro Tasmania storages in the central highlands of Tasmania.
The NMIS is on track to deliver its first water on 1 October 2026, in time for the 2026/27 summer irrigation season.
The principal primary production focus in the region is grazing (dairy, beef and sheep) and field crops (cereals, poppies, seed crops, lucerne, potatoes and peas).
Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme
Tranche Three — Phase One
Enhancing irrigation opportunity in the lower Isis Valley and Macquarie River region and enhancing further growth opportunity and providing surety of water to the region.
| Milestones / Forecasts | |
|---|---|
| Funding confirmed | Yes |
| Community meeting | March 2019 |
| EOIs launched | April 2019 |
| EOIs concluded | May 2019 |
| IRC appointed | April 2019 |
| Preferred option launched | June 2020 |
| Water sales launched | December 2020 |
| Business case submitted | June 2021 |
| Construction start date | September 2024 |
| Construction end date | September 2026 |
| Water delivery commencement | October 2026 |
| First full season | 2026/27 |
| Fast facts | |
|---|---|
| Initial ML capacity | 8,195 ML |
| Total EOIs received | 13,000 ML |
| Expected final scheme capacity | 25,500 ML |
| Total forecast cost | $217.9 million |
| Estimated number of irrigators | 50 |
| Forecast season opening | Early October |
| Forecast season closing | Late March |
| Irrigation Season (October to March) | 180 days (flow rate based on 150 days) |
| Daily flow rate | 170 ML / day |
| Water entitlement price | $1,440 / ML |
| Pipeline | 152.4 km |
| Pump Stations | 1 |
| Boost pump stations | 2 |
| Buffer Dam | 1 |
Under Construction
Downloads
Scheme Fact Sheet
EPBC 2022/09295 Documentation
- EPBC 2022/02915 Plan Revision Summary (implemented 5 Jun 2026)
- EPBCA Ref 202209295 Preliminary Documentation V6 0
- CEMP NMIS EPBC Ref 2022 09295 Version 2
- CEMP NMIS EPBC Ref 2022 09295 Version 3
- CEMP NMIS EPBC Ref 2022 09295 Version 5
- CEMP NMIS EPBC Ref 2022 09295 Version 6
- A Project area
- B1 Poatina Buffer Dam CEP and CET
- C Forest Clearance Guidelines 1
- D Habitat tree hollow bearing management protocol
- E Pre-clearance check and unanticipated den discovery protocol Version 1
- E Pre clearance check and unanticipated den discovery protocol Version 2
- E Pre clearance check and unanticipated den discovery protocol Version 3
- F TI Tasmanian wedge tailed eagle strategy
- G Green And Gold Frog Mitigation Protocol 3
- H Roadkill Mitigation Strategy
- H Roadkill Mitigation Strategy v1 2
- I NMIS Roadkill Mitigation Zones
- J Weed and Hygiene Management Plan
- K Drainage Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
- L Construction Water Quality Management Plan Version 0.1
- L Construction Water Quality Management Plan Version 1
- M Rehabilitation and Reinstatement Plan
- N Emergency response plan
- O Aboriginal Artefacts Unanticipated Discovery Plan
- P Construction program
- Q Dairy Creek Crossing Methodology
- R Access Track and Service Locating Methodology
- NMIS Offset Strategy Ref 2022 09295 2 May 2024 Redacted
- NMIS Offset Management Plan v1 7 29 August 2025 Redacted
- NMIS Offset Management Plan v1 8 October 2025 Redacted 1
Superseded Documentation
EPBC 2022/09295 Annual Compliance Reports
- Protected Matters Clearing Shapefiles 2024 2025
- Protected Matters Clearing Shapefiles 2025 2026
- Annual Compliance Report 2025
- Annual Compliance Report 2026
Scheme Maps
Downloads
Newsletters
Contacts
Please contact our friendly team for more information about the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme:
Jacob Tierney
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