Anne Urquhart (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Saturday I was pleased to attend the official commencement of construction of the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme augmentation, a significant milestone for Braddon farming communities. This project is an important step forward in securing the future of agriculture across Braddon. Once completed, the augmentation will deliver up to an additional 9.2 gigalitres of water each year. This will almost triple the current water supply, greatly improving irrigation reliability, particularly during the crucial summer season. This summer demonstrated, with the dry, hot conditions across Tasmania, that secure and dependable water access is essential for our farming communities.

The benefits of this expanded water delivery will reach right across Sassafras through to East Devonport in that 100 kilometres of pipeline. With improved reliability and increased volume of water, farmers in these areas will have greater confidence to invest, diversify, expand and value-add to their operations.

The Albanese Labor government committed $62.1 million to this irrigation scheme augmentation, through the National Water Grid Fund. When finished, the scheme will stand as a testament to the power of partnership, vision and strategic investment. This is more than an infrastructure project. It is a commitment to the future of our regional communities, our farmers and the prosperity of north-west Tasmania. It's a tangible outcome in our region from the Albanese Labor government