Secure funds let farmers look ahead
The water is flowing, or rather spraying, across Tasmania thanks to the government’s ongoing irrigation funding schemes.
Deputy Premier Bryan Green launched the Lower South Esk Irrigation Scheme this week, officially kicking-off the fifth round of the funding to help farmers in Tasmania’s northern midlands.
The State Government will spend $14.5 million making sure farmers have what they need to feed their crop. In the newest phase of the scheme the 6,000 megalitre Milford Dam will pipe its water from the South Esk River to nourish over 15,000 hectares of farm land from Longford to Conara.
Farmers have chipped in, putting up nearly $6 million for the scheme.
Tasmanian farmer Michael Chilvers says the spraying of funds and water will help drought-proof the area, and allow growers to expand into different crops and farming forms.