Extending on-farm water efficiency

Additional funding for the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation project (STBIFM) will soon be available under rounds 4 and 5 (NSW).

According to Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries, the expanded project will deliver billions of litres in water savings.

“In addition to this, I am pleased to announce a further nine successful applicants have been approved to share in more than $6.5 million under round three of the program.” Said Ms Hodgkinson.

The latest successful projects approved under round three range from $91,000 to more than $2.2 million dollars and cover a wide range of activities, including:

Upgrading existing spray irrigation systems
Converting surface irrigation systems to overhead systems
Field and storage reconfigurations
Delivery system upgrades

Ms Hodgkinson said more than 40 projects have been completed using STBIFM funding from rounds one and two, including the installation of new reservoirs, upgrading and installing pumps and pump stations, significant pipe work and developing a range of innovative irrigation projects.

“All projects funded by the STBIFM demonstrate how farmers can not only achieve water savings through infrastructure modernisation, but also significantly boost farm productivity and deliver vital water savings back to the environment,” Ms Hodgkinson said.