Funding available for NSW irrigators

The first round of funding is now open for eligible irrigators under the $83 million ‘Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation Project’.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) acting manager natural resource advisory services, Kate Lorimer-Ward, said funding is now available to help irrigators who use general security water in the NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi, Peel, Cudgegong and Macquarie catchments identify water efficiency opportunities.

"The project provides a unique opportunity for irrigators to improve operational efficiencies, save money, upgrade irrigation infrastructure and ensure the long term sustainability of our rural communities," Ms Lorimer-Ward said.

"Funding will be directed to a wide range of projects such as installing improved irrigation systems, improvements to water storages, piping of channel delivery systems and a range of irrigation infrastructure upgrades such as irrigation scheduling tools.

"The on-farm water use efficiency assessments will be conducted by a group of irrigation consultants, with expertise in assessing water use and developing irrigation infrastructure projects.

"The project is being funded under the Australian Government’s Water for the future initiative and is part of a larger $500 million NSW Sustaining the Basin Project which also includes metering, floodplain management and basin pipe projects."

The funding and support package for eligible irrigators includes:

• Up to 80 per cent of funding (to a maximum of $4,000 per farm) to undertake an irrigated farm water use efficiency assessment to identify water savings opportunities;
• Up to 80 percent of the project costs to implement approved water saving infrastructure projects;
• Training opportunities to assist irrigators in the operation and management of new or upgraded infrastructure to achieve the forecast water savings.

The first round of funding closes on 30 November 2012, with a second round closing in April 2013.

"Irrigators are invited to attend one of the community meetings to find out more about the project and discuss their eligibility to apply for funding," Ms Lorimer-Ward said.

Further information is available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/info/sustainingthebasin or by emailing ifm.info@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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