The developer behind a Tasmanian golf course has come up with a water solution for nearby farmers

A FARMER says a River Derwent irrigation pipe plan could bring jobs and wineries to the region. SEE THE VIDEO

RECYCLED water will be pumped from Blackmans Bay under the River Derwent to the South Arm Peninsula to help provide a sustainable, long-term water solution for landowners.

The proposed 6.8km, $3.5 million pipe is being planned by the developers of the 116ha Arm End recreational reserve and golf course, and the hope is construction will begin within a few months, if approvals are granted.

The pipe will connect Class B recycled water from TasWater’s Blackmans Bay treatment plant across the River Derwent to irrigate South Arm farms and properties and the Arm End public recreation reserve.

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Craig Ferguson from Arm End with Halfmoon Bay farmer Ian Grubb discuss plans to pipe water to South Arm from the Blackmans Bay treatment plant. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Arm End project manager Craig Ferguson said TasWater dumps 4.5 megalitres of Class B water into the Derwent and expects to use up to two megalitres of it per day.

“When we originally got the development application for the Arm End public site we underestimated the water security issue,” project manager Craig Ferguson said.

“We will make the water available to whoever wants it — farmers and landowners.

“From Arm End’s perspective, the water will enable the revegetation and regeneration of the whole of the Arm End Public Playground, as well as the public golf course.”

An image from the Blackmans Bay to South Arm recycled water pipeline development showing the pipe’s planned route across the Derwent River. Image: IPD consultants

Mr Ferguson said the only cost to users would be proportional-to-volume use fees for pipeline upkeep and Arm End would likely contribute 95 per cent of those maintenance costs.

The developer will approach Clarence City Council and state and federal governments for funding.

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Halfmoon Bay farmer Ian Grubb supports the idea.

“Wherever water goes, farming will follow and so will jobs,” he said.

“It will open a lot of avenues and I think vineyards will come here.”

Mr Grubb, a 30-year flower and pink-eye potato farmer, said the peninsula was prone to drought.

“What we do at the moment for water is pump from bores 50m down,” he said.

“What happens with these bores is they’re expensive to build and they eventually grow salty.

“Having a reliable source of water on this peninsula will be a big thing for all landowners.”

Arm End has signed an MOU with TasWater to build the pipe and the golf course is scheduled to open in 2020/21.