Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Labor will commit $100 million to a third phase of rolling out irrigation schemes in Tasmania if it wins government at this years' federal election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The plan would see potential irrigation schemes created in the farming districts of Detention, Don, Flowerdale, Harcus, the Tamar Valley, Fingal, the Southern Midlands and Sassafras.
He said the developments would create 3900 jobs and return $114 million a year to the state's agricultural economy.
The third phase of scheme roll-outs is likely to include 10 new schemes with 78,000 megalitres of water, seven dams, 479 kilometres of pipeline and serviced by 23 pump stations and four power stations.
Mr Shorten said the final design of the new phase was dependent on a feasibility study.
Tassie has some of the best produce in Australia - and I want to make sure it stays that way.
- Opposition Leader Bill Shorten
The potential overall cost of the project would be $496 million.
The state government has already committed $70 million to it and the rest will be funded by farmers and the private sector.
"Tassie has some of the best produce in Australia - and I want to make sure it stays that way," Mr Shorten said.
"Most importantly, this will unlock thousands of new jobs across regional Tasmania.
"Along with benefits for traditional crops and livestock farms this will be a particular boost to wine grape growers."
There were 10 irrigation schemes developed between 2010 and 2015.
The second phase of the roll-out includes five schemes - some of which are operational.
The rest are expected to be constructed and operational by December.
According to Tasmania Irrigation's last annual report, there was 111,438 megalitres of water from the body's 13 schemes available to 472 irrigators.
The company recorded a 77-per-cent increase, or nearly 60,000 megalitres, of water delivered throughout the state compared to last financial year (58,924 megalitres).
The state's irrigation capacity has more than doubled since 2011-12 from 51,591 megalitres.
As of June 30, 2018, there had been $182.2 million in government contributions made to the body.