New infrastructure funding opportunity for irrigators

Funding is now open for round 12 of the Queensland Government’s Healthy Headwaters Water Use Efficiency project (HHWUE) which provides funding for on-farm infrastructure to increase water efficiency.

Key changes to the guidelines in round 12 are project timing requirements and the ability to offer water from different locations.

Project timing is critical as the HHWUE program approaches its end. Projects must be commissioned and final payments claimed by no later than 31 March 2020. Applicants will need to include a description of how they will ensure their projects can be completed by this date.

Eligible irrigators can apply for up to 90 per cent of the total cost to undertake on-farm infrastructure projects to increase water use efficiency. The infrastructure must relate broadly to water storage, water distribution or in-field systems.

Approved applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent to the project cost, and transfer at least 50 per cent of the water savings (by permanent transfer of water allocation) to the Government for environmental use.

The 10 per cent contribution may be made up of any combination of cash, ‘in-kind’ or additional water for transfer.

Applications for the three month round close on 28th April, 31 May and 30 June 2017.