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IRIS Tasmania  >  Resource Industry  >  Agriculture  >  Major Projects

Agriculture Major Projects

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Maps - Agriculture

SMART Farming initiative

SMART Farming (Sustainable Management of Agricultural Resources in Tasmania) is a key Tasmanian Government policy, released in March 2006, for the Tasmanian primary industry sector. SMART Farming recognises that an innovative, competitive and sustainable primary industry sector is vital to Tasmania's long-term economic development.

Water and irrigation development

Support for the farming sector in the area of on-farm water development is provided for in the State Government's SMART Farming Water Initiative and the Water Development Project.

To underpin projected growth in agriculture and to improve the resilience of the industry in the face of drought and climate change, large-scale irrigation development is being undertaken in the State.

Drought-proofing Tasmania

Significant funding has been allocated from both State and Commonwealth Governments for water development projects aimed at drought-proofing Tasmania and securing high reliability water for irrigation and town supply.

Information on Tasmania's water resources is available on the Department of Primary Industry and Water's website.

In May 2007, areas of Tasmania were drought-declared. A range of assistance measures are offered to farmers by the State and Commonwealth Governments. Information on all drought support programs and farm management during times of low rainfall is available on the Farmpoint website.

In a statement issued in February 2009, the Australian Government extended drought assistance for Exceptional Circumstances declared areas of Australia. In Tasmania, support in the following areas has been extended to 30 April 2020:

  • Flinders Island area - assistance to continue for producers within a revised boundary of only Flinders Island area (including the towns of Emita, Lady Barron, Leeka, Palana and Whitemark)
  • Central Midlands area (including towns of Bothwell, Campbell Town, Cleveland, Fingal, Hamilton, Oatlands, Orford, Ouse, Pontville, Richmond, Ross, Sorell, Swansea and Tunbridge).