On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme - Save Money on Your Water Tank Purchase
Graziers, growers and greenthumbs alike have been suffering from the impacts of drought across Australia for years, and the Australian federal government in 2018 teamed up with state governments to deliver rebates for on-farm water infrastructure expenses, including (but not limited to) the installation of rainwater tanks and water storage facilities.
The scheme has been designed to assist primary producers in drought-affected areas, with an initial funding of $50million over three years, which has since been expanded to $100million over four years, ending 30 June 2022, thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the scheme.
Eligible farmers have access to a 25% rebate of up to $25 000 on the purchase and installation costs incurred from any on-farm water infrastructure to help provide reliable water supply to livestock or permanent horticulture, to help stave off the current drought and be better prepared for any future dry conditions.
Who Can Apply for an On-Farm Water Infrastructure Rebate?
- A primary producer (as defined by your state or territory)
- A property owner, share farmer or lease holder
- In an area defined as drought affected (by your state or territory)
- In the grazing industry or a horticulture farmer with permanent horticulture plantings.
The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme can be applied to:
Livestock:
- Pipes and fittings
- Water storage devices (such as rainwater tanks and troughs) associated with stock watering
- Water pumps
- De-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
- Drilling of stock groundwater bores and associated equipment/power supply such as generators, desalinisation plants
- Other materials or equipment necessary to install the above excluding purchase of machinery
- Any freight component to purchase and install the equipment
- The professional installation costs to install the water infrastructure.
Horticulture:
- Drilling of horticulture groundwater bores and associated equipment/power supply such as generators, desalinisation plants
- De-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
All costs claimed under Program must have been incurred from either 1 July 2018 (Primary Production) or 30 June 2019 (Horticulture Farming).
What You May Need:
To apply you will need to may have to have the following information and documents:
- Lease agreement (if applicable)
- Scanned copies of all paid itemised invoices of water infrastructure, delivery or labour
- Scanned photos of completed works
Benefits of Improving On-Farm Water Supply
- Address animal welfare needs
- Help primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts
- Increase productivity for primary producers
- Mitigate degradation of natural watering points
State and territory governments will administer and deliver the rebates.
- Farmers in Tasmania can apply for the rebate from 3 May 2019 via the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment website.
Reference:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/national/on-farm-infrastructure-rebate
Additional rebate resources: