Greater South East Irrigation Scheme

Tasmanian Irrigation

The $301 million Greater South East Irrigation Scheme by Tasmanian Irrigation will increase reliability of irrigation water supply to one of the driest areas in the State. It will integrate the existing South East Stages One, Two and Three schemes, and support significant agricultural growth by servicing existing and additional demand. The scheme design has the capacity to deliver 37,200 megalitres of high–reliability irrigation water to the area from Gretna through to Forcett.

Concept design development was iterative, initially informed by expressions of interest then adjusted following two rounds of water sales where over $35M of applications were received. This, along with extensive landholder engagement, environmental and heritage surveys across the ~200km of the new infrastructure footprint, informed the revised scope within defined budget parameters. Australian Government funding, via the National Water Grid Fund, was achieved in December 2024 along with Tasmanian Government funding.

Sugden & Gee provided project management and administration services to deliver concept feasibility, water sales, stakeholder and landholder engagement and the business case which secured Australian and Tasmanian Government funding.

Photos courtesy of Tasmanian Irrigation