Winter Water Update
We are pleased to advise that Hydro Tasmania has verbally indicated that it has accepted our request to increase the winter water take by 3,200 ML. This will enable us to accommodate all of the applications we have received for Winter Water.
On this basis, we will be in a position to issue Winter Water Contracts to all applicants shortly, which we request applicant irrigators sign and return to us promptly. If any prospective Winter Water Contract holder wishes to reduce the amount of the proposed contract, please advise the office and we will amend the contract accordingly. Requests to increase the volume of water, or new requests, cannot be accommodated as the resource is fully allocated. Further comment is made in this regard below.
Season Close
Just a reminder that your formal irrigation right only permits you to take water during the Irrigation Season which ends on 31 March 2025. Water after that date will only be supplied in accordance with Winter Water Contracts.
April/May 2025 Water
As we have transitioned to a full allocation of winter water via Winter Water Contracts, we are unable to meet demands for water after the season closes to other irrigators.
To this end, it is recommended that irrigators who have not committed to Winter Water Contracts take action now to ensure that any needs they have for the period after the season closes are able to be accommodated.
We suggest that the best way of achieving this is to approach one of the Winter Water Contract holders and arrange a private agreement for them to make some of their winter entitlement available to you. The terms of such an exchange will be the subject of negotiation, but in the spirit of our Scheme generally, we would encourage such transfers to be on the basis of an agreement that there be an offsetting exchange of summer water. All winter water will be charged at the winter water price.
In recognition of the fact that the transition to winter water supply contracts are new, if an irrigator wishes to access water during April/May 2025 for instant application (as opposed to storage) then this can be supplied, subject to availability and the Scheme Manager’s discretion on the basis that impacted irrigators agree to forgo the same volume of water used from their summer entitlement and to agree to a temporary transfer of same for the 2025/26 irrigation season to the Scheme.
This should provide a suitable transition period for the immediate period however please note that this will not be offered in future years.
Future Winter Water Contracts
Clearly, it is in the best interests of the Scheme, and the District, for as much water to be delivered as is possible. To this end, the Board would like to continue to expand the winter water program.
However, irrigators need to understand that the Scheme must stay within its water allocation, which has been fully applied for the Winter season. To this end, should landholders in the District wish to access more winter water, they should advise the Scheme of this fact, along with the details of how that water will be utilised. The Scheme will then make an appropriate representation to Hydro Tasmania to seek to obtain additional water to satisfy each request. Of course, there is no guarantee that the water sought will be made available and we would caution against any investment prior to resolving same.
Water pricing
The following water pricing will be applied for the current irrigation season. Each price stated is per ML and as the supply of water is GST free, no GST is included:
| Irrigation Water right fee (Invoiced November) | $18.32 |
| Winter right fee (invoiced April) 1 | $9.16 |
| Irrigation Water usage (invoiced May) | $30.32 |
| Winter water usage – 2025 1 | $27.32 |
| ARL (on all usage) | $3.11 |
All invoices will be subject to 30-day payment terms. The Board has the power under the Irrigation Clauses Act to restrict or terminate supply where accounts are unpaid.
1 This fee will be applied against the winter right application fee where applicable