Water Package - September 2007
Where ever you go in rural and regional Tasmania enhancing our water supply and delivery is the hot topic of discussion.
This is no doubt a result of a significant drought, climate change scenarios, rural town water supply problems, developments in water policy at the Federal and State levels, plus a general enthusiasm for the future of our primary industries.
Tasmanian Government commissioned reports conclude that there is the potential for significant market driven growth across a range agricultural enterprises by 2015 that could realise an increase in Farm Gate Value of production of around $300M. However, water is a major potential constraint to this growth. Faced with this, it is incumbent on Government and Industry to cooperatively Work together to systematically evaluate and promote viable water infrastructure opportunities.
The TFGA therefore proposes a strategic approach to move past the current "excitement" on water and establish a logical process for developing rural water infrastructure in Tasmania over the next 5 years and beyond.
Specifically the TFGA seeks a commitment from an incoming Federal Government of $121.2M for a Joint Government – Industry Water Infrastructure Package for Tasmania that underpins the development of Tasmania’s rural industries as "A Southern Food Bowl".
Water Development Projects Map - 2007