The Commonwealth Government has invested $10 million in the Lindenow Valley Water Security Scheme (the Scheme) to assist Lindenow Valley Irrigators construct major on-farm water infrastructure to improve security of supply that enhances their long-term drought resilience.

The Scheme provides up to 50 per cent, to a maximum of $2 million, to eligible Lindenow Valley Irrigators for costs associated with the planning, design and construction of on-farm water storage, bore construction and the installation of water supply pipelines and pumping infrastructure (directly for water transfer to storage facilities and mains back to the farm distribution point) to increase water security and improve resilience to drought.

Total Commonwealth funding allocated for the Scheme is $10 million and will be provided through the Victorian Government to Rural Finance. Rural Finance will be responsible for administering the Scheme, overseeing progress and reporting.  Irrigators will be responsible for securing planning approvals, design phase, delivery and implementation of approved projects.

In order to apply, applicants must:

1. submit a farm management plan describing the proposal and benefits;
2. be a property owner undertaking or proposing to undertake irrigation activities on agriculture land;
3. have property located in the Lindenow Valley and immediate surrounds[SB1] ;
4. hold a relevant water licence;
5. be a Primary Producer; and
6. have all planning and licence approvals prior to commencing any construction.

Further eligibility criteria are contained in the attached Guidelines. Please read the Guidelines before completing the Application Form.

Completed application forms, together with supporting documentation must be submitted to Rural Finance by 15 June 2020 via:

Post: Rural Finance, PO Box 1313, Bendigo Central 3552

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If funding remains available after the closure of applications on 15 June 2020, Rural Finance will continue to accept applications to the earlier of 30 June 2021 or when the Scheme funds are fully allocated and will assess these applications in order of receipt.

For further information please contact Rural Finance on 1800 260 425.