The parliamentary inquiry into Tasmanian Irrigation heard from an extensive list of witnesses during its Launceston sittings last week, but there are still questions unanswered about the organisation’s future.
Committee chairman McIntyre independent MLC Greg Hall said the Legislative Council Select Committee on Tasmanian Irrigation heard from more than 20 witnesses during three days of hearings.
“We got through most of the stuff we wanted to cover, Mr Hall said.
“So we’ll go through the evidence and may have to call Tasmanian Irrigation and the [Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment] department back again as there were a few outstanding questions,” he said.
Many witnesses highlighted Tasmanian Irrigation’s change in role from a construction model to business management.
“A lot of schemes have been [finalised], so the question in witnesses’ minds now is, is it time to consider the management of these schemes?” he said.
“It’s very important that all that infrastructure has been rolled out because it gives certainty for producers across the state. It’s just how it will be managed going forward.
- McIntyre independent MLC Greg Hall
Answers to these questions are on hold while parliament is in caretaker mode, and will resume after the state election.
Two witnesses included representatives from self-managed irrigation schemes Elizabeth Macquarie Irrigation Trust and Cressy Longford Irrigation Trust.
The inquiry committee was interested to hear these perspectives as the schemes are self managed, Mr Hall said.
“It’s very important that all that infrastructure has been rolled out because it gives certainty for producers across the state. It’s just how it will be managed going forward,” he said.
The committee finished the Launceston hearings with a much broader understanding of Tasmanian Irrigation’s original role and the model stakeholders consider it should move towards for the future.
“There were some very well thought out and erudite comments and evidence. It’s been very topical,” Mr Hall said.