The original Tamar Irrigation Scheme was designed to deliver 8,500 megalitres per season of high-reliability irrigation water to the Beaconsfield, Legana, Rowella, Hillwood, Pipers Brook and Pipers River areas. The construction of the Tamar scheme would increase the reliability of water available on existing and new enterprises and facilitate expansion of agricultural activity and conversion to high value commodities.
Demand from irrigators has not been strong enough to justify the capital cost of a standalone agricultural scheme. Tasmanian Irrigation is working with Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT) to explore options for a redesigned Tamar Water scheme, which would serve the needs of both agriculture and hydrogen development at Bell Bay.
Funding to develop a preliminary business case was secured in December 2024. Read more information in our media release. The preliminary business case was submitted to the Tasmanian Government for consideration in October 2025.
While the specifics of the preliminary business case remain confidential, it set out a strong technical solution and demonstrates there is a compelling economic case for the scheme.
Progressing the Tamar Water Scheme relies on confirming a commitment to purchase water by a hydrogen proponent/s and confirmation of the annual volume of water to be purchased.
Principal primary production focus is berries, vineyards, orchards, pasture, cereal crops, nurseries, flowers, vegetable crops and dairy.