The Federal Government has announced further funding for drought affected Victorian farmers, through the $100 million extended On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme – allowing applicants to upgrade on-farm infrastructure, such as tanks, pipes and pumps.
The extended scheme will be funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments jointly, with both contributing $862,540.
Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment to support farmers with drought-resilience projects.
“This rebate scheme extension will help Victorian farmers in the East Gippsland and Wellington regions to build long-term infrastructure and drought resilience,” Mr Pitt said.
“Livestock farmers can modernise on-farm infrastructure, including tanks, troughs, pipes, pumps, desilting dams and new bores, to allow movement of water to livestock while farmers with permanent horticulture plantings can sink new bores and desilt dams.
“It’s about supporting our farmers to build better on-farm water infrastructure for more reliable and sustainable water supply into the future.”
Mr Pitt said that the initial scheme provided drought affected Victorian farmers with Federal Government funds of $3.56 million, with the extended scheme and additional investment recognising the popularity of the scheme.
“The Australian Government has provided an extra $862,540, matched by the Victorian Government, under the extension of the scheme,” Mr Pitt said.
Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, said the extension of the scheme in Victoria would provide further support for the hardest hit farmers still suffering from the effects of the drought.
“This will be welcome news for farmers in our drought affected communities. I am delighted to announce we are providing $862,540 of matched funding to support them in the long term,” Ms Thomas said.
“The rebates provided under the scheme will enable our farmers to build new water infrastructure that will better prepare them for future drought events.
“Under the extended scheme, $1.7 million is available to Victorian farmers in the East Gippsland and Wellington regions through the combined contributions of the Victorian and Australian Governments.”
Eligible farmers who did not receive a rebate during round one of the scheme can claim up to 25 per cent of the eligible infrastructure costs, capped at $25,000.
For more information about the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website.
For more information on how to access the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate in Victoria, including guidelines and application forms, visit: ruralfinance.com.au
