Community management of publicly owned irrigation schemes

The Tasmanian Government has a policy to facilitate community management of publicly owned irrigation schemes, where feasible and appropriate.

To enable this, legislative changes occurred in 2023 that amended existing legislation governing Tasmanian Irrigation’s operations, making it possible to delegate some powers and functions to irrigator groups. The Water Miscellaneous Amendments (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Act (the WMA Act) was passed by the Tasmanian Parliament in December 2023.

Tasmanian Irrigation supports community management of irrigation schemes where it makes sense. We are always looking for efficiencies in how we operate schemes, and if there’s a more efficient way for irrigators to access the schemes, we support that.

This fact sheet provides more detail of the legislative changes and what is permitted and not permitted under the changes.

Download Fact Sheet

Consulting with irrigators

Between May 2024 and January 2025, Tasmanian Irrigation is undertaking a two-stage consultation process with current Water Entitlement holders in publicly owned irrigation schemes.

During Stage 1, Tasmanian Irrigation hosted a series of regional information sessions that covered in detail:

  1. How Tasmanian Irrigation will work with irrigators to enable the intent of the legislative changes.

  2. The intent and effect of the legislative changes.

  3. The requirements of the legislative changes regarding what Tasmanian Irrigation can and cannot delegate; and what must be demonstrated by community groups to be eligible for delegation.

  4. How Tasmanian Irrigation anticipates the changes might be implemented in practice.

  5. How the consultation process will work, including feedback mechanisms.

  6. A set of draft documents that will support applications for self-management.

  7. The nature of feedback sought.

To aid the consultation process, and provide a basis for review and feedback, Tasmanian Irrigation has developed a series of draft documents. These were central to Stage 1 of the consultation process and were provided to attendees at the information sessions.

Stage 1 of the consultation process has ended.

This fact sheet provides more detail of the consultation process.

Download Fact Sheet


During Stage 1 of the consultation process with current Water Entitlement holders, information and consultation sessions were held on the dates and at the locations below.

  • 13 May – Sorell Memorial Hall 10am

  • 16 May – Scottsdale Football Clubrooms 10.30am

  • 20 May – Paranaple Arts Centre, Devonport 10am

  • 22 May – The Grange Estate, Campbell Town 10am

  • 23 May – Door of Hope, South Launceston 10am

  • 27th May - Oatlands RSL 2pm

  • 31st May - online session.

The presentation from the Stage 1 consultation sessions is available for download here

Consulting with irrigators - Stage 2 (November 2024)

Feedback was collected during Stage 1 of the consultation process, during consultation sessions (informal feedback) and via an online feedback mechanism (formal feedback). This feedback has been considered by Tasmanian Irrigation and incorporated, as appropriate, into documents that will support the application process for community management.

Tasmanian Irrigation invites current Water Entitlement holders to submit feedback on the revised documents. We will also seek feedback from TasFarmers and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

On this page you can download

A summary of the feedback received during Stage 1

Revised documents to support the application process for community management. These documents include tracked changes to highlight where feedback has led to change.

Guideline for Applicants

Application Process flow chart

Application Form

This fact sheet provides more detail of the consultation process.

Download Fact Sheet

You can provide feedback to Tasmanian Irrigation:

  1. In person during information and consultation sessions (stage 1 only)

  2. Using the form on this web page

  3. By email consultation@tasirrigation.com.au

  4. By post to PO Box 84, Evandale, TASMANIA, 7212

Feedback on Stage 1 closed on 21 June 2024

Feedback on Stage 2 opens on 29 November 2024 and will close on 31 January 2025.

How we will handle your feedback

All feedback will be collected in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and Tasmanian Irrigation will adhere to the relevant provisions with this Act to protect the privacy and security of the information gathered.

Confidential submissions

If you would like to make a confidential submission directly to Tasmanian Irrigation, please clearly indicate that your submission is confidential and we will ensure confidentiality is maintained throughout the process, safeguarding the content of your submission from publication or unauthorised disclosure.

Key dates (subject to change)

May 2024 Regional information and consultation sessions held.

21 June Close of feedback, Stage 1

July 2024 Feedback incorporated into the Guidelines and Application Form documents.

September 2024 Tasmanian Irrigation Board review of final draft documents

November 2024 Consultation on final draft documents

31 January 2024 Close of feedback, Stage 2


When will applications open?

Tasmanian Irrigation is working with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Tasmanian Government to finalise a number of matters that need to be in place before applications can open for community management. These include:

  • Development of contracts for operations and maintenance of irrigation schemes and asset lease to facilitate management by groups of irrigators;
  • A regulatory process for setting application fees; and
  • Declaration of Tasmanian Irrigation as an Irrigation Entity for the purpose of implementing the intent of the Water Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2023.

Responding to feedback raised during the first stage of consultation has required Tasmanian Irrigation to seek external advice on a range of matters. This has resulted in a slightly later timeframe for opening Stage 2 consultation.

There are several processes that require additional work before the applications can open for community management. We will provide an updated timeframe for opening applications after the Stage 2 consultation process has ended, and we have more clarity around the regulatory process.

Contact
If you have questions about the intent of the WMA Act or the consultation process, email consultation@tasirrigation.com.au or contact Tasmanian Irrigation on (03) 6398-8433.

Feedback - Community Management Form

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