14-05-2025
Dry conditions in Tasmania proving a challenge for farmers as water restrictions set in
In Tasmania's southern midlands, farmer Sarah Barrington has been testing out a new weather forecasting tool to track soil moisture on her property.
But, heading into winter, she says the reading on the graph is "pretty grim".
"Our graph is a graph that you don't want at the moment," she said.
So far this year, the Apsley Park property has received just 90 millimetres of rain, compared with its typical average rainfall of 190mm.
She said while she was remaining optimistic, the little rain in her gauge wasn't ideal.
It's a familiar story for many farmers across the state.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall totals in April for most of Tasmania were below to very much below average.
It was the driest April in the state in a decade.
In its April summary, the BOM says most of the north-west experienced its lowest January to April rainfall levels since 1900.
On Flinders Island, off Tasmania's north-east coast, water restrictions have been in place for Lady Barron in the south since February.
TasWater was also monitoring the situation in Whitemark, the island's largest town, with potential for restrictions to be implemented there.
Beef farmer Tom Youl, who has properties at both ends of the island, said despite a green tinge the moisture was only surface level.
He said rainfall in the past week or so had taken some of the edge off, but it was still far drier than usual for autumn, for the second year in a row.
Mr Youl said by this time of year typically, there would be between 100–150mm of rainfall. Instead, it's sitting closer to 60mm.
On King Island, farmer David Munday said the impact from the lack of rainfall was evident.
He said the bare levels of Pearshape lagoon in the island's south laid it out clearly.
"The past four months, we've had 50mm of rain, which is unusual for the island," Mr Munday said.
The remote north-west island endured its worst drought on record in 2024, which left farmers to make tough decisions with both mental and financial blows.
Mr Munday said a solid spring last year had provided a buffer and a chance for farmers to prepare for the year ahead.
But, he said the spring had come off the back of a very dry winter, with lingering impacts still evident.
"There was a chap I asked last year, about September, October and how he'd gone in the winter and he said it was the 'best winter he'd ever had'," Mr Munday said.
The reason for that, he said — "no mud".
With only a couple of weeks of autumn remaining, Mr Munday said the community was relying on a wet winter but preparing for a repeat of the last one.
Since February, stage one water restrictions have been in place for Orford and Triabunna on Tasmania's east coast, as well as Lady Barron on Flinders Island.
Speaking on ABC local radio on Wednesday, TasWater head of infrastructure investment planning, Matt Jordan, said water levels were being monitored across the state with the potential for restrictions in additional locations.
If conditions did not improve, stage one restrictions might soon apply to Oatlands in the Midlands, Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, Greater Launceston (including West Tamar, George Town and Hadspen), Mole Creek in the north, and Whitemark on Flinders Island.
Mr Jordan said recent rainfall near Scottsdale had improved the situation for Greater Launceston, but water levels were still lower than expected for this time of year.
He said it was a situation TasWater would continue to monitor closely.
"It is very dry across the state," he said.
"We rely a lot on the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts, and we don't see anything on the short-term horizon.
On Flinders Island, Mr Youl is staying positive.
"I'm confident we'll get through," he said.
"There's green across the island. We've got everything we can get in place, in place."
