The Northern Territory Connections package will enable agricultural and primary industry growth in the region. Projects include a critical water supply network to support this.
Water infrastructure projects under the Connections pathway in the Northern Territory include:
This package will deliver new and upgraded pipelines and water storage facilities.
This will help agriculture industries to expand. It will provide adequate water supplies and address storage and quality issues.
Collectively, these benefits will contribute to delivering secure, affordable and reliable water for rural and regional Australia.
New South Wales water infrastructure projects under the Connections pathway include:
The Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme project included construction of a new dam and water distribution network to support drought resilience in north east Tasmania. The scheme includes 92 km of pipeline, a dam, pumpstation and power station. This infrastructure will supply the region with 8,600 megalitres (ML) of high-security irrigation water per season.
The distribution network services:
The business case assessed and shortlisted potential water infrastructure options. It measured existing and future industry demand for water, including water volumes, quality and price.
This preliminary business case explored the options and demand for high-quality and affordable water in the Clare Valley.
The preliminary business case was completed in January 2023.
The detailed business case assessed the merits of the proposed modernisation of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme to deliver new and upgraded water distribution and control infrastructure.
The business case included an options analysis that described the economic, financial, and commercial implications of the potential options and assessed potential social and environmental impacts.
The Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme Modernisation Detailed Business Case Project was completed in December 2023.
The National Water Grid Connections Pathway enables the quick delivery of targeted water infrastructure projects. As a result, bringing immediate benefits to Australia’s regional communities.
Small-scale infrastructure projects make localised improvements to water outcomes. However, collectively they can make nationally significant contributions.
Under the pathway, up to $20 million in water infrastructure funding was made available for each state and territory. The Australian Government contributed up to $5 million per project.
Water infrastructure projects under the Victoria Connections Package include a new recycled water pipeline and upgrades to existing channels. These projects will deliver water savings and help support the agricultural industry during drought conditions.
Collectively, these benefits will contribute to delivering secure, affordable and reliable water for rural and regional Australia.
Victoria water infrastructure projects under the Connections pathway include:
The Australian Government is committed to responsible investment in water infrastructure, based on scientific evidence and business cases that stack up economically and environmentally.
The Australian Government is no longer proceeding with construction of the Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme in Western Australia.
The Australian Government invested $10 million for the detailed business case which was completed in May 2022. Funding was provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
Australian Government funding ($170 million) for construction of the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme has been deferred. The Australian Government is committed to responsible investment in water infrastructure, based on scientific evidence and business cases that stack up economically and environmentally.