Tasmanian Irrigation sought Australian Government approval to develop and expand both new and existing irrigation schemes across Tasmania. A strategic assessment would look at the environmental impact of these irrigation developments under the EPBC Act.
Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.
The Irrigation Development (Tas) strategic assessment on this page is inactive. This means the Environment minister signed an agreement, but it ended on 16 February 2015. This means the Australian Government no longer expects to progress the strategic assessment.
The partner has no obligation to finalise the strategic assessment requirements. They may choose not to continue to seek approval for their development at any time.
Overview
Tasmanian Irrigation manages several irrigation schemes across Tasmania. It sought Australian Government approval to develop both new and existing schemes in Tasmania over time. This development included:
- constructing and operating new irrigation schemes
- increasing the volume of water and irrigated land within existing scheme boundaries.
The Australian Government agreed with Tasmanian Irrigation to carry out a strategic assessment of proposed irrigation development in Tasmania. This agreement was in line with section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The strategic assessment looked at the environmental impact on each location. This includes:
- infrastructure construction
- water extraction and delivery
- farm property management systems.
The assessment would also include a commitment from Tasmanian Irrigation to avoid, minimise and offset environmental impacts under the EPBC Act.
The Program Report would detail the proposed irrigation development (the program). The report would also describe the process of identifying, avoiding, minimising and compensating for any environmental impacts.
Tasmanian Irrigation indicated there would be no developments on World Heritage property.
Strategic assessment agreement
The strategic assessment agreement was signed on 30 September 2014.
The agreement describes the:
- process to follow for the assessment
- requirements under national environmental law.
Strategic assessment agreement (PDF 2.72 MB)
Strategic assessment agreement (DOC 137 KB)
Terms of reference
The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.
The agreement includes matters that the draft terms of reference state it must address.
End of agreement
On 20 January 2015, Tasmanian Irrigation informed the Australian Government of its decision to end the strategic assessment agreement. The agreement can terminate if both parties agree to this in writing. See Clause 13 of the agreement signed on 30 September 2014.
The minister agreed to this termination on 16 February 2015. The strategic assessment ceased, effective from this date.
Get in touch
Contact our Referrals Gateway team:
- Email: epbc.referrals@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 423 135 between 9 am and 5 pm Canberra time.