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Tasmania’s $217 Million Water Project Opens New Doors for Farmers

A major irrigation network is bringing reliable water to the Northern Midlands, helping farmers expand crop production, strengthen farm operations, and prepare for increasingly dry conditions

Northern Midlands, Tasmania, 26 October 2026 – Farmers in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands are beginning to see the benefits of a major irrigation project designed to bring reliable water to agricultural land that has long depended on rainfall. The Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme has started delivering water, offering local farming businesses greater flexibility as they manage dry conditions and plan their next growing seasons.

The $217 million project was developed by Tasmanian Irrigation and supported by federal and state government funding, along with contributions from local farmers. Its network of approximately 150 kilometres of underground pipelines transports water from large Hydro Tasmania storage facilities in the state’s central highlands to farms across the region.

The system is designed to deliver around 25 billion litres of water annually. This supply will support the cultivation of high-value crops such as potatoes, poppies, processing peas, and vegetable seeds, while also providing water for livestock feed and expanding sheep and cattle operations.

The timing of the project is particularly important. Tasmania’s Northern Midlands has experienced an exceptionally dry and unusually warm spring, leaving some fields struggling without additional water. With the new system operational, farmers can irrigate land that previously had limited access to dependable water supplies.

Richard Burbury, who operates a family farm between Campbell Town and Ross, plans to irrigate an additional 500 hectares. He explained that without the new water supply, the farm would have faced difficult decisions, including selling lambs earlier and being unable to plant certain crops. Access to irrigation has allowed the family to move ahead with its plans rather than scale back production.

Neighbouring farmers Pat and Mady Taylor are also preparing to expand their operations. Their plans include growing potatoes for French fry production and adding another 120 hectares of centre pivot irrigation next year. For farmers such as the Taylors, a more dependable water supply makes it easier to plan planting schedules and manage investments, although it does not guarantee a successful harvest or stable income.

The benefits extend beyond crop production. The irrigation network is creating work for local businesses involved in installing pumps, connecting pipelines to farms, and maintaining equipment. Irrigation service providers in the region have reported increased demand as farmers prepare their land and install systems to distribute water efficiently.

Tasmanian Irrigation estimates that the scheme could support approximately $54 million in economic activity each year across the Northern Midlands, equivalent to around $108 million over its first two years of operation. Farmers have also invested more than $34 million in water entitlements, while spending additional amounts on the infrastructure needed to bring water directly to their fields.

The project forms part of a wider effort to strengthen agricultural water security across Tasmania. Other irrigation schemes in the state have also recorded strong demand, with several beginning operations earlier than expected.

However, access to water is only one part of successful farming. Producers must continue to manage operating costs, crop prices, soil conditions, and changing weather patterns. The long-term value of the Northern Midlands scheme will depend on how effectively farmers use the new supply to improve productivity and maintain financially sustainable operations.

For the region’s agricultural businesses, the project represents an important step towards more reliable farming. By improving access to irrigation, Tasmania is giving farmers greater scope to diversify crops, expand production, and build resilience against dry seasons.