Winnaleah irrigation outcry

July 10 2024

By Rachel Williams

Two jobs are in jeopardy and farmers are furious that management of the Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme will be taken from local hands.

The scheme, which services around 40 irrigators and provides stock and domestic water to a “significant number” of people, has been managed locally since its inception in 1987.

But that’s all about to change after a letter from Tasmanian Irrigation dated July 5, in which CEO Andrew Kneebone announced changes to the day-to-day management of the scheme.

It said Tas Irrigation would not renew the contract held by Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Ltd (WISL) for operation and maintenance of the scheme.

Mr Kneebone said it followed a benchmarking exercise which found the scope of work can be delivered more cost-effectively by Tas Irrigation.

He said the operation and management cost component of the per megalitre charge would reduce by $15/ML from $65.63/ML to $50.57/ML under the change.

“(This is) made possible by efficiencies Tasmanian Irrigation is able to achieve in delivering these services internally,” Mr Kneebone said.

Mr Kneebone said an Irrigator Representative Committee would be established via an expression of interest period.

But despite the promise of cheaper water, many users are not happy about a lack of consultation.

As we go to print, WISL was meeting to determine a response.

WISL Chairman Robin Thompson said there had been no complaints from farmers about WISL meeting obligations under their contracts and there had been no performance issues raised.

“There have also been no non-compliance issues from TI regarding the performance of WISL,” Mr Thompson said.

“They are using a pretence of reduced costs which have not been verified by an independent third party.

“The community is very disappointed because the community drove this
scheme.

Former WISL director and farmer Alan Davenport said the cost saving was “absolute complete spin” and he was writing to the Premier, himself a farmer, to raise the issue directly with him.

The decision comes after Tas Irrigation held consultation sessions with
irrigators and stakeholders across the State to look at potential community management of publicly owned irrigation schemes.