Farming communities in Tasmania’s Meander Valley are celebrating access to 11,000 megalitres of new water for irrigation, with the commissioning of the Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme Augmentation.

Tasmanian Irrigation’s General Manager Program Development and Delivery Jacob Gerke said the $21 million augmentation of the Meander scheme is providing high-reliability water to 240 existing and new irrigators.

“Farmers in the Meander Valley already understand the value of high surety water for irrigation,” said Mr Gerke.

“It provides the confidence to plant crops and to diversify into higher value agricultural activity. The increased capacity of the scheme will grow the productivity of agricultural activity in the region and deliver broader benefits across the local and State economies.

“The additional water supports an expansion of the irrigated area in the Meander Valley and provides improved drought resilience. The result is a more robust farming community, increased investment in agriculture and creation of new jobs in the region.”

Mark Griffin, a dairy farmer from Elizabeth Town, says the augmented scheme is pivotal for fellow growers and graziers.

“It will provide local farmers with the confidence needed to sustain their businesses year after year, fostering growth across the region,” Mr Griffin said.

“This water allows farmers in the Meander Valley to invest further in their businesses, creating lower risk profiles for performance. This further enhances the sustainability of the district moving into the future.”

Construction of the Meander augmentation project was completed in October 2024, with water flowing in time for the summer irrigation season.

“Continued investment in development of irrigation schemes is sustainably improving both the performance and efficiency of existing irrigation, and the productive capacity and value of the State’s agricultural sector,” said Mr Gerke.

“Tasmanian Irrigation has built 16 irrigation schemes across Tasmania, which are making water available where and when it’s needed. In the Meander Valley, this project has resulted in an increase of around 40 per cent in the irrigation water delivery capacity of the scheme.”

The Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme Augmentation project was jointly funded by irrigators ($16 million) and the Federal Government ($5 million), with additional separate funding from the Tasmanian Government for upgrades to an existing mini hydro power station ($2.5 million).

For more information, contact:

Samantha Meyer, General Manager Stakeholder Relations and Communications

samantha.meyer@tasirrigation.com.au 0438 210 468