Input for new irrigation program

The Australian Government is seeking feedback on a new program that will help irrigators modernise their on-farm irrigation infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Commonwealth On-Farm Further Irrigation Efficiency (COFFIE) will be rolled out across the Murray-Darling Basin in 2016, and will provide funding to irrigators to improve their infrastructure, while also returning water savings to the environment.

Delivery partners will work with irrigators and irrigation professionals to design, manage and implement these irrigation infrastructure improvement projects, ensuring proposals are technically feasible and suitable for the property.

Irrigators must be a registered owner of an eligible surface water entitlement and able to submit a project that will generate a minimum 10ML water saving.

With the program commencing in 2016, the Australian Government wants to make sure they get it right so they are seeking feedback from irrigators, irrigation professionals and organisations that are considering being a delivery partner in the scheme.

You can provide your feedback here until 11 December.