Multiple uses underpin Tamar water scheme

WORK on developing a preliminary business case for the Tamar Irrigation Scheme will get under way after a new funding announcement. 

Tasmanian Irrigation has welcomed an announcement by the State Government that funding has been secured for the next stage of work on the scheme. 

Tasmanian Irrigation CEO Andrew Kneebone said work would now begin on development of a preliminary business case for a scheme that supported a combined agricultural and industrial water supply. 

“Despite taking the Tamar scheme to water sales twice, there was insufficient demand from irrigators to justify the capital cost of a standalone agricultural scheme,” Mr Kneebone said. 

“Since then, we’ve worked with Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania to explore options for the Tamar scheme to be developed as a combined agricultural/industrial scheme, supplying water for hydrogen production at Bell Bay as well as to irrigators in the Tamar region.” 

Mr Kneebone said the work has demonstrated that the scheme has the potential to achieve those dual objectives. 

“The business case is an essential piece of work that will demonstrate whether it’s viable to progress a combined agricultural / industrial scheme,” he said. 

The Tamar Irrigation Scheme would deliver 8500 megalitres per season of high reliability irrigation water to wood, Pipers Brook and Pipers River.

A combined scheme would deliver up to an additional 12,000 ML per annum of water to Bell Bay for indus trial use in hydrogen production. 

The business case will be developed by TI in collaboration with ReCFIT and funded under the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub funding. 

“The business case will explore issues associated with agricultural and industrial water supply and demonstrate under what conditions there are benefits to Tasmania of progressing a combined irrigation and industrial water scheme,” Mr Kneebone said. 

“We will now work with ReCFIT and the Tasmanian Government to finalise the arrangements necessary for work to start on development of the business case.” 

It’s expected the business case will be finalised by the end of the current financial year.