They say just add water and it will grow, but it is not that easy for farmers in Tasmania’s southeast. Warmer and drier climate conditions affected water supply in recent years. And a federal government decision to knock back funding for new irrigation infrastructure has added a new blow.
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00:00For farmers in the Coal River and the Jordan Valleys in Tasmania's southeast, water, or
00:08the lack of it, is holding back growth.
00:10The Federal Government has knocked back a pitch for $150 million for new water for crops,
00:18more than double the amount available now.
00:20When we don't have reliable water for our farms and our businesses, that is a threat.
00:27It means that people are not as willing to invest in their farms.
00:31The Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme would have bypassed Hobart's drinking water and provided
00:36new and cheaper water.
00:38It was meant to be a sure thing.
00:41We didn't think it would be knocked back.
00:42We thought it would be funded.
00:44As did a lot of developers coming into the Coal Valley.
00:47There's a huge vineyard going out at Campania who has planted hectares of vines based on
00:53that water.
00:55New vineyards, more veggies and fruit, and security for other farms all now hang in the
01:00balance following that budget decision.
01:03It's just so low the rainfall, there's no runoff, the ground's bone dry, and we're relying
01:08100% on irrigation.
01:10So if these people don't understand that, then they need to get out of their offices
01:13and they need to get some boots on the ground.
01:15In the Jordan Valley near Brighton, the local river rarely flows in summer.
01:20There's been no runoff into dams, soils are dry and feed crops have been poor.
01:26Scientists say climate change means warmer, drier conditions are the new norm.
01:31We've essentially got the double whammy of increased vapour transpiration and reduced
01:36rainfall so we really need water security and food security which is investment in infrastructure
01:43and particularly irrigation infrastructure.
01:45Tasmanian Irrigation says it will resubmit a strengthened proposal for the Greater South-East
01:51Irrigation Scheme but it's not sure when.
01:54In the meantime, TasWater is due to release new prices and farmers relying on drinking
02:00water for their crops are expecting rises.