On 9 October 2009 the Commonwealth Government called for proposals for a new $300m on-farm irrigation efficiency grants program which would be awarded through three competitive rounds over four years commencing 2009/2010. This funding comes from the $5.8b Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure program previously announced.
The program aims to assist irrigators in the Lachlan and the southern connected system of the Murray-Darling Basin to modernise their on-farm irrigation infrastructure and return water to the environment.
Applications cannot be made by irrigators directly but must be made via one of the program’s delivery partners who must:
• have direct and demonstrable links to irrigators,
• be a legal entity and registered with the ATO, and
• be able to enter into a contract with the government and negotiate and enter into contracts with irrigators for individual on-farm projects.
For more information go to www.environment.gov.au and click on "On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program". Applications for funding close 4pm Tuesday, 17 November 2009.
