PM announces Feds to fund Greater South East Irrigation Scheme

The Prime Minister has announced that the Federal Government will fund the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme.

He made the announcement today with Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, while confirming former State Labor Leader Rebecca White as the Federal Labor candidate for Lyons.

It follows Liberal Leader Peter Dutton announcing on Sunday that the Liberals would fund the scheme, if elected.

With $75 million committed from the State Government, and $75 million from irrigators, the announcement means that the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme now has all the funding required to commence construction.

When complete, the GSEIS will supply some 37,000 ML of water annually to irrigators in the south-east region, bringing fresh water directly from Lake Meadowbank in the Derwent Valley.

It is estimated to generate $291 million in net economic benefit, and create at least 468 jobs.

Over recent months TasFarmers have run a strong campaign calling on the Government to fund the scheme, backed in by Fruit Growers Tasmania.

The Scheme will be funded in this year's Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, due for release in coming weeks.