Feasibility Study on Options for Enhancing Water Supply in the South East Irrigation District

Pressure on water resources in the Coal River valley currently limits further agricultural development and productivity in the area. There are also significant concerns over the surety of existing supply sources with the current storage in Craigbourne Dam holding only enough water for the 2007/2008 irrigation season. At present the Coal River Valley has four main sources of water supply for irrigation: 1. On farm catchment dams 2. Supply from the Craigbourne Dam 3. Supply to Stage 2 and Lower Stage 1 from Hobart Water 4. Re use water supplied by Clarence City Council At present all four sources are fully utilised and there is considerable on farm investment at risk if water supplies are not available to meet future demand. The Rivers and Water Supply Commission at the instigation of the Irrigation Advisory Committee and Coal River Products Association is seeking to appoint a consultant to report on options available to enhance both the overall supply and the surety of water supplies in the Coal River Valley.