Tasmanian Water Minister Jo Palmer reflects on 2023

Tasmanian Water Minister Jo Palmer looks back on 2023, and the opportunities that could arise from 2024.

We all know how important our water is, and we know we must be protective of it. We also know the power fresh water holds as a key enabler for this Government’s vision to grow the value of Tasmanian agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.

The more I visit farms, the more I hear about the transformation being made possible by access to reliable water.

It’s also critical for our drinking water supply and our aquatic ecosystems, significant in Aboriginal culture and enjoyed by Tasmanians and visitors alike.

Balancing these competing uses requires careful management. Water is not something to be taken for granted or given away. It is something we all must value, manage and share to ensure the benefits reach all parts of our community and everyone’s needs are met.

Our Government is investing in the Rural Water Use Strategy to ensure sustainable outcomes for rural water users, for communities and for our environment. It also includes initiatives to maintain Tasmania’s competitive advantages in a changing climate.

Twelve key projects are currently underway, including initiatives to improve river health, groundwater assessment, and review the science underpinning our water allocation framework.

Irrigation schemes

I am also incredibly proud of Tasmania’s irrigation schemes and the important work Tasmanian Irrigation carries out in both the development of new irrigation schemes and the operation of those schemes across the state.

Sixteen irrigation schemes have been constructed to date, and planning has commenced on a further five projects.

Tasmanian Irrigation now oversees more than 26,000 individual infrastructure assets with a replacement value of approximately $500 million across 19 operational schemes. Wonderfully, Tasmania Irrigation has the capacity to deliver more than 133,000 megalitres of irrigation water each year, which we will focus on next year.

Access to irrigation water is a game changer. It gives farmers the confidence to expand their businesses, diversify, intensify, increase rotations, employ more people, establish farmgate experiences and enter contracts with processors. This is incredibly important for Tasmania and our changing climate.

As we head into the Christmas period, many Tasmanians are looking forward to spending quality time with family and taking a break from the busyness of their daily lives.

But we know that’s not always the case for our farmers. The orchards, vines, crops and livestock demands don’t stop just because it’s Christmas Day.

I know many of our dedicated farming families will be working this holiday season to ensure there is incredible produce on our tables.

Without their efforts, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate this time of year in the way we do, so thank you.

My warmest Christmas wishes to you all. I hope the end of 2023 treats you well, and I look forward to seeing you all again next year when we pick up where we left off. I look to see what we can do bigger and better in 2024.