On track to ease curbs on water use

IRRIGATION water restrictions in Tasmania’s South East are on track to be eased on Friday as TasWater continues to assess demand in the greater Hobart region.

The South East irrigation scheme’s stages two and three, which cover landowners around Richmond, Cambridge and Sorell, are supplied with water from the TasWater drinking supply.

Tasmanian Irrigation CEO Andrew Kneebone yesterday said the stabilisation of dam buffer storages resulting from increased inflows, reduced irrigator usage and much-needed rainfall had contributed to the restrictions likely being eased by the end of this week.

“We are out of immediate danger, but we need to continue to act responsibly,” Mr Kneebone said.

“We don’t want to ease restrictions one day, followed by four days of hot weather and increased demand that result in restrictions being imposed again.

“This is all about protecting the water resource and preventing the yoyo impact of farmers being on and off restrictions, which makes it extremely difficult for them to do what they do best.”

The news came after TasWater CEO Michael Brewster said a decision would be made by Friday about whether or not low-level water restrictions will be introduced in greater Hobart this summer. He said they were designed to minimise unnecessary outdoor water use.

“We are continuing to evaluate future scenarios and the risks associated with not just this summer, but future summers,” Mr Brewster said.

He said a $160 million upgrade of Hobart’s primary water source, Bryn Estyn Water Treatment Plant, was expected to be complete by 2023 and would increase capacity by about 40 megalitres a day.