Green light for $122m Woolnorth dairy expansion

ABC The expansion plan will make Woolnorth one of the largest grass-fed dairy operations in the world.

A $122 million dairy expansion at the Van Diemen's Land Company in north-west Tasmania has been given state approval.

VDL wants to double milk production at its Woolnorth property, creating 11 new dairy farms by converting beef operations and clearing land for another two.

The expansion plan will make Woolnorth one of the largest grass-fed dairy operations in the world.

The company has not yet announced investors for the project, but told shareholders late last year there were several interested parties.

Chief executive Mike Guerin says talks are progressing well.

"The sooner we can finish that equity raising obviously the better, it's a key part to this development program," he said.

The company has altered its land clearing plans after input from conservation groups.

Mr Guerin says planned native vegetation clearing has been reduced by half.

"We were thinking of clearing about half the remaining uncleared land on Woolnorth, or about 3,500 hectares," he said.

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Green light for $122m Woolnorth dairy expansion