Tasmanian Government Media Release - 11 June 2009
Funding from the 2009/10 Budget will allow the Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board (IDB) to commence construction on at least seven new irrigation schemes this financial year. The Budget allocates a further $27 million in 2009-10 on top of the $17 million allocated in 2008-09 from the Water Infrastructure Fund. These funds will be applied to major water development projects.
The projects include:
Midlands Water Scheme
The IDB will spend $8.4 million in 2009/10 to bring the South Esk component of the scheme to commercial close and enable construction to commence in January 2010.
Sassafras Wesley Vale
The project involves 62 km of pipeline at a cost of $8.7 million. Construction is expected to start in October 2009 and will be completed in April 2010.
Ouse Clyde Shannon
The IDB will spend $6.6 million in 2009/10 to enable construction to commence in April 2010.
Whitemore
The Whitemore scheme involves 34 km of pipeline and the purchase of a dam. It will be completed by June 2010 at a cost of $10.2 million.
South East Irrigation Scheme
$3 million has been allocated to support an emergency solution for the 2009/10 irrigation season.
The Water Infrastructure Fund will also support further work towards the IDB's other major schemes including: North-East dams, Meadstone Dam, Headquarters Road, Winnaleah and Upper South Esk. All schemes are co-funded through a combination of State, Federal and private funding.
The final distribution of each contribution will not be determined until immediately prior to construction. All projects are subject to appropriate environmental and planning approvals and funding conditions imposed by the Australian Government.