Mr Llewellyn said, “The Government has committed $80 million to develop a range of significant irrigation projects with the potential to provide the state with an additional 250 gigalitres of irrigation water a year.

“These projects will be progressed through the newly-established Irrigation Development Board.

“Together with Commonwealth funds, this investment means $220 million is available to develop water infrastructure.

“Two Tasmanian regions, being Flinders Island and the North East coastal plain and the Midlands, east coast and central highlands, have been accepted as eligible for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) support as a consequence of extensive submissions made to the Commonwealth Government.

“As of the August 1 this year, the State and Federal Governments have invested about $4 million in the provision of interest rate subsidy payments to 125 farming businesses under the Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy program.

“The first round of this scheme is scheduled to finish on October 22 and the second round on April 28, 2009.

“The National Rural Advisory Council will be undertaking a review of the EC declarations later this year to determine if there is a need to continue the program beyond the second round.

“The State Government is providing financial assistance of up to $10,000 per eligible business for the purpose of providing fodder and water to help maintain essential breeding stock.”