Strategic assessment of the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme, Tasmania
Why is a strategic assessment being done?
The Australian and Tasmanian Governments agree that the areas within and surrounding the Midlands Water Scheme have significant environmental values. The strategic assessment will assess the impacts of the Tasmanian Government's Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme (the Program) on the following nationally protected matters:
- world heritage properties
- national heritage places
- listed threatened species and communities
- Ramsar wetlands
- listed migratory species.
The strategic assessment will include infrastructure construction, water extraction and delivery, and farm property management systems.
Agreement
Under national environment law, the Australian Government Minister for the Environment may agree to a strategic assessment of the impacts of actions on nationally protected matters under a policy, plan or program. On 5 February 2010, the Australian and Tasmanian Governments signed an agreement to undertake a strategic assessment of the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme.
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Public consultation processes and Supplementary Report
The public comment period on the Program and the Impact Assessment Report ran from 30 September to 4 November 2010. A Supplementary Report was written to address the public comments - it can be found on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment's Strategic Assessment of the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme page
Program and Impact Assessment Report
The Program and Impact Assessment Report have been finalised following the public comments process. They can be found on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment's Strategic Assessment of the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme page.
Endorsement
On 11 April 2011, the Australian Government Minister for the Environment endorsed the Program. This is the second strategic assessment in Australia to reach the endorsement stage. The endorsement of this program allows the minister to consider giving approval to actions that are taken in accordance with the endorsed Program.
- Endorsement Notice for the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme (PDF - 35 KB) | (RTF - 54 KB)
Approvals
On 31 May 2011 the Minister approved the construction of the Lower South Esk component of the Midlands Water Scheme.
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