Water allocations in South East Scheme cut in half

Farmers are facing major water restrictions at a critical time in the growing season as supplies in one of the state’s major irrigation schemes run low.

Pivot irrigator. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

SOME Tasmanian farmers have been asked to cut their irrigation by half as water supplies and infrastructure in the state’s south struggle to keep up with current demand.

A combination of low dam inflows, very dry conditions and increased water use in the Hobart region has seen allocations for farmers on parts of the South East Irrigation Scheme temporarily reduced.

Farmers being impacted are on stages two and three of the scheme, which supply water to the Sorell, Richmond and Cambridge areas.

Tasmanian Irrigation chief executive officer Andrew Kneebone said the current shortage is being caused by a combination of factors.

He said a dry season had seen an increase in early demand for irrigation water.

A lack of rain, which has reduced dam inflows, and interruptions to treated water supplies from TasWater for the scheme are also to blame.

Buffer storage dams for both stage two and three of the scheme reached critically low levels last week, which Mr Kneebone said had prompted TI to contact farmers and ask them to reduce usage where possible.

About 180 farmers are being impacted by the current restrictions.

At peak capacity, the scheme is delivering 12 megalitres of water a day to farmers.

Mr Kneebone said he is hopeful farmers will start to receive their full daily allocations of water again next week, once water levels in the scheme’s buffer dams are stabilised.

TasWater chief executive officer Michael Brewster said an increase in water demand from Hobart residents, dry conditions and a reduced capacity at the Bryn Estyn’s Water Treatment Plant caused the problem.

Enhanced water treatment, with extra filtration at the Bryn Estyn’s plant, is being used to mitigate taste and odour issues and assist with the removal of pathogens for drinking water customers.

However this has reduced overall daily supplies from the facility.

“TasWater is supportive of Tasmanian Irrigation and our farmers and is working collaboratively with all parties to find alternative sources of water, including recycled water which is used to capacity throughout the Coal River Valley,” Mr Brewster said.

“TasWater will continue to work to meet our commitment to irrigators, without compromising the supply of drinking water to our Hobart customers.”

The introduction of possible water restrictions for Hobart have also not been ruled out.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said he has met with TasWater and Tasmanian Irrigation to map out solutions that will ensure there are sufficient supplies for irrigators, fire preparedness, businesses and residential use.

Water from the South East scheme is used to grow some of the state’s highest value crops, including salad greens and wine grapes.

Mr Kneebone said the TI was working closely with farmers to help them manage the current restrictions, but no crop losses are expected.

Despite the temporary reduction in supply, Mr Kneebone said he is confident farmers on the South East Scheme will still receive their full irrigation water allocations over the remainder of the season.

However, he said the development of infrastructure to secure an alternative supply of raw water for the scheme would be needed, to prevent ongoing issues in future.

A meeting will be held to update irrigators on the South East Scheme on Tuesday at 10am at the TI office, 701 Richmond Road, Cambridge.