Northern Victorian irrigators have until 5pm Friday 31st of August to register their interest in Round 3 Farm Water Program funding.
Northern Victorian irrigators have until 5pm Friday 31st of August to register their interest in Round 3 Farm Water Program funding.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) on behalf of the Farm Water Program is applying for funding from Round 3 of the Australian Government’s On-farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEP). The outcome of the application is expected to be announced mid-October.
Goulburn Broken CMA CEO Chris Norman said in the meantime irrigators must register their interest for Round 3 of the program by phoning the Farm Water Program hotline on (03) 5820 1147.
“Irrigators who are keen to carry out farm improvements and obtain any funding available through our program must register with the Goulburn Broken CMA,” he said.
“The first step is to meet all eligibility criteria, which have changed slightly from previous rounds.”
Irrigators will also need to provide an electronic copy of a current Whole Farm Plan showing the proposed works by 5pm Friday 31st of August.
The full eligibility criteria, as well as Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the Farm Water Program link on the Goulburn Broken CMA website.
Mr Norman said demand by irrigators in the first two rounds had been very high and available funds were oversubscribed.
“It’s clear there is a huge amount of interest among farmers to improve their on-farm irrigation practices and modernise their farm irrigation systems,” Mr Norman said.
“Irrigators need to carefully check their eligibility, particularly in regards to their Whole Farm Plan and their Goulburn Murray Water Connections Program status, and make sure they register their interest by the deadline.”
The Farm Water Program helps irrigators achieve farm water savings by funding upgrades to farm irrigation systems. The water savings are shared between farmers and the environment, with at least half the water savings transferred to the Commonwealth environmental water holder.
“The program is clearly a win for the environment, irrigators and the community,” Mr Norman said.
“It complements the modernisation of the irrigation delivery system; the water savings are returned to the environment to boost river health and water quality; and it creates jobs and attracts investment to this region.”
For more information, visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au