Tasmania’s irrigation projects should be an example to other states and territories, Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told a Bothwell crowd on Tuesday.
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Mr Joyce observed the works undertaken by the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme, a $31 million initiative jointly funded by farmers and federal and state governments.
He said the Coalition government contributed $15 million to this particular project, and a total of $60 million to the Tasmanian Irrigation Tranche Two program.
“I want this to happen across our nation,” Mr Joyce said.
“The reason I’ve taken people to Tasmania today is to say to the rest of the nation, ‘Get moving’.
“This is something that Australians want to see.”
Tasmania’s Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Southern Highlands had, until now, lacked sufficient water “to achieve its full productive potential”.
“Having the right infrastructure in the right place will give farmers the water security they need to be able to invest and diversify their businesses with confidence,” Mr Rockliff said.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam said he would be lobbying the federal government to provide yet more funding for irrigation initiatives right across the state.
“What we need to do is ensure that the Australian government stumps up the requisite funds for Tranche Three of the irrigation project so that we can actually unlock the potential of our land,” Senator Duniam said.
