The Victorian Government (through Agriculture Victoria of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (Agriculture Victoria) is offering a rebate to drought affected farmers who invest in urgently-needed on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs. The rebate funding is being made available from an allocation from the Australian Government.

The Scheme provides a one-off 25 per cent rebate up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) to eligible primary producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs and improves resilience to drought.

The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (the Scheme) is available for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock and for permanent horticultural plantings.

The Scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in the following Local Government Areas:

Farm businesses outside of the above Local Government Areas can make an application if they can demonstrate a critical water need for livestock resulting from current seasonal conditions. These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

Water Infrastructure must be purchased and installed for a genuine emergency animal welfare or for maintaining existing permanent horticultural plantings and to improve drought resilience. Eligible water infrastructure includes:

Grazing Livestock

1. Pipes
2. Water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering
3. Water pumps
4. Permanent repairs to fixed infrastructure (e.g. repair piping)
5. Drilling of new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators, desalination plants
6. Desilting works of existing stock and domestic dams, where you can demonstrate that area of the property does not have access to suitable groundwater
7. Other materials or equipment necessary to install the above excluding purchase of machinery
8. Any freight component to purchase and install the equipment
9. The professional installation costs to install the water infrastructure.

Permanent Horticultural Plantings

Eligible water infrastructure for permanent horticultural plantings includes:

1. Drilling of new horticulture groundwater bores
2. Desilting dams

Scheme eligibility criteria are contained in the attached guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 if further assistance is required.

Victorian Government Support

For more information about this and other drought support being provided by the Victorian Government contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons