Socio Economic Study of Transporting Water from Poatina to the Central Midlands of Tasmania

The objective of the consultancy is to determine the economic and social benefits and costs of the proposal to construct a pipeline to transport up to 50,000 megalitres of water for irrigation and town supply from the tailrace of the Poatina Power Station to agricultural areas in the Midlands region of Tasmania. The requirements of the consultancy are to: assess background material provided by the Principal and such other information considered necessary; analyse the information by applying sound economic, financial and public policy principles and in accordance with the overarching draft “Guidelines” document produced by DPIW to assist consultants to focus on the issues of importance, and provide a report outlining the critical social, financial and economic dimensions of the proposal with an emphasis on the social and economic benefits and costs of the proposal. Identify the “best” option(s) for augmenting the water supply to meet the 10 and 20 year needs; Provide a costing for the best option(s) and identifies the next steps to be taken to implement the best option(s).