Elizabeth Water Trust members are concerned that at least the next two irrigation schemes proposed by the State Government will not go ahead because the water price to farmers is too high.

Spokesman Ferdi Foster said this week that the proposed $1100-a-megalitre charge was the reason the South Esk water scheme had not been supported by farmers and why the Arthurs scheme would probably also be rejected.

Mr Foster said that the Government had not taken into account the different climate and soil conditions in the region fed by the Meander Dam compared with the Midlands.

He said that it was not feasible to charge Midlands' farmers the same $1100-a-megalitre as those involved in the Meander Dam scheme.

"The Midlands is so different to the Deloraine area - to grow a crop in the Midlands, you need twice as much water," Mr Foster said.

"It's a different climate and different soil.

"Farmers can't afford to pay that much for water."

Opposition primary industries and water spokesman Rene Hidding said yesterday that the Liberals were committed to drought-proofing the state.

The Liberals' water strategy would include:

•A $30 million low-interest loan scheme for farmers to boost on-farm water development.

•Subsidies on the cost of farmers installing or replacing water meters of up to $1500 a licence up to a total of $3 million.

•Up to $2500 a farm to help farmers undertake property management and water-access plans required to take part in Irrigation Development Board projects.

Mr Hidding said that the Liberal policy had been designed to alleviate water charges, which appeared too high in proposed new irrigation areas.

Primary Industries and Water Minister David Llewellyn said earlier this week that Labor was determined to push through a "$400 million irrigation program" to multiply farm value-added produce.