The Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme commenced operations during the 2011-12 irrigation season. It is fully subscribed, with no further water being available for sale from Tasmanian Irrigation.
The scheme services cropping land around the townships of Sassafras, Harford, Thirlstane, Moriarty, Wesley Vale, Northdown, Pardoe and East Devonport. Production in the area includes poppies, cereals, pyrethrum, potatoes and other vegetables.
The scheme has the capacity to supply 5,460 ML of water over a 150-day delivery period on which the summer irrigation season is based. Additional water can be supplied by the scheme outside the irrigation season.
Water supplied for this scheme is sourced from the Mersey River at Great Bend. During periods of low river flows, the reliability of supply is underpinned by releases from Lake Parangana.
Water is pumped into a small reservoir at Great Bend, before being delivered throughout irrigation district by 85.7kms of pipelines.
Boost pumping operates at three sites: Sassafras Pump Station, Harford Pump Station and Northdown Pump Station.
In the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme, a Farm Water Access Plan is required to cover all land that Tasmanian Irrigation water is applied and to all dams that are used to store Tasmanian Irrigation water. Click here for information on Farm Water Access Plans