Irrigation Development 
Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd (‘Tasmanian Irrigation’) was established on 1 July 2011 as a State-owned Company responsible for development and operation of a suite of irrigation schemes.
Tasmanian Irrigation is the successor company of the former Rivers and Water Supply Commission and the Commission’s former subsidiaries: - Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board Pty Ltd which had been responsible for developing new irrigation schemes and
- Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes Pty Ltd which had been responsible for operation of irrigation schemes.
Tasmanian Irrigation is now the single Government-backed company responsible for both irrigation development and operation. Tasmanian Irrigation provides the high level drive and governance needed to deliver this major suite of water infrastructure projects. Tasmanian Irrigation progresses the schemes from feasibility assessment through to the construction and operational stages.
Tasmania needs additional irrigation water to underpin projected growth in agriculture and to improve the resilience of the industry in the face of drought and climate change.
The development work of Tasmanian Irrigation evolved from the Tasmanian Water Development Plan being pursued by the State Government.
Amongst other matters, the initial phases of the Water Development Plan focused on developing a number of irrigation proposals to the "investment ready" stage. A recognition that regionally significant irrigation development is, in most cases, beyond the resources of farmers alone, resulted in the schemes being realised through public-private partnerships.
The capital cost of schemes is shared between the community and the private sector. A total of $220m has been earmarked by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to progress the water developments. The public funding contribution recognises that the regional communities in which the schemes are located will gain a general socio-economic advantage from increased activity and employment over time. Private capital contributions are made through the purchase of tradeable water entitlements to a particular scheme by the beneficiaries of that scheme. Operating costs are met by an annual charge on water entitlement holders.
Tasmanian Irrigation website: www.tasmanianirrigation.com.au
Strategic Assessment of the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme
Investing in Irrigation - Wealth from Water
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