Tasmanian Government Media Release - 19 June 2009
Irrigators on the South-East Irrigation Scheme will be receiving a guaranteed 70% of their irrigation allocation, thanks to a temporary supply pipeline. Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes P/L, the Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board and Southern Water, have developed an engineering solution to supply more water to the Coal River Valley.
The Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board and Southern Water, have developed a proposal for a temporary pipeline which will deliver the guaranteed 70% of irrigation allocations in the coming irrigation season; even if water is not available from Craigbourne Dam. The temporary pipeline has been developed to ensure the quickest possible installation and the lowest possible cost to irrigators. The total maximum cost of water from the temporary solution has been set at $250/ML with the potential to be reduced should the cheaper Craigbourne Dam water become available.
For the longer term, Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes P/L and the Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board are investigating solutions for water delivery to an extended South-East Irrigation Area including the Coal River Valley.