A "NEW era" for East Coast agriculture drew closer yesterday, as Tasmanian Irrigation opened water sales for the proposed $17 million Swan Valley Irrigation Scheme.
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Last week the federal government committed $60 million towards five new schemes across Tasmania.
The funding follows the state government's commitment to spend $30 million on the project.
The 2000-megalitre Swan Valley scheme is expected to pump flood flows from the Swan River into a 3000-megalitre dam to be built near Cranbrook.
That water will be available in the summer irrigation season via a pipeline distribution network to farms at Swansea, Cranbrook and Coombend at a cost of $1500 per megalitre.
"The scheme will service prime horticulture and viticulture land on the state's East Coast that is currently constrained by lack of access to reliable water supply," Tasmanian Irrigation chief executive Chris Oldfield said.
"This scheme forms part of our second tranche of projects and is the fourth to advance to water sales in recent months."
For the irrigation project to proceed, the Swan Valley Irrigation Scheme has to be fully subscribed, however.
Mr Oldfield said the scheme was a long-term investment for many struggling farmers in the state's east and encouraged farmers to take part.
"With this strong support from government, local farmers now have the opportunity to invest in their futures and the future of their communities," Mr Oldfield said.
Entitlements are available to owners or occupiers of land in those districts. The sales close on March 31.
Tasmanian Irrigation will hold information days throughout March at the town hall.