The sales are open to owners or occupiers of land in Evandale, Breadalbane, Relbia, Nile, south-east Launceston and White Hills areas. Tasmanian Irrigation project manager Ian Smith said it was important for farmers to inquire about purchasing water even if their land is not in the provisional irrigation district.  The North Esk Irrigation Scheme (NEIS) is a 2,850ML scheme and is one of five schemes which are  under development as a part of Tasmanian Irrigation’s tranche two development program.

“The scheme district and pipeline locations are flexible. The final design is structured around actual water sales,” Mr Smith said.

Winter water flows from the North Est River will be fed into a to-be-constructed 3150ML dam on the Dalness property at White Hills.

From the dam site water will be distributed to scheme participants via an underground pipe network. 

Water will be offered for a one-off up-front capital contribution of $1500 per megalitre with annual fixed operating costs of $65.15/ML and variable costs of $25.90/ML to 39.90/ML. A deposit of 2% is required with the lodgement of the water sales documentation and an additional 8% deposit will be payable on confirmation of funding for the scheme.

Tasmanian Irrigation will be available at the Evandale Hall every Wednesday from April 13 during the sale period to discuss the opportunity with interested landholders.