Northern Victorian irrigators need to ensure they are ready for the release of funding under Tranche 2 of the Victorian Government’s Victorian Farm Modernisation Project (VFMP).
The Farm Water Program consortium, led by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (Goulburn Broken CMA), expects to distribute $50 million for farm improvements under the program. A call for Registrations of Interest will occur in early 2015.
Mr Chris Norman, Chief Executive Officer for Goulburn Broken CMA, has expressed that irrigators in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) should review their Whole Farm Plans in preparation for the call.
“Irrigators who apply for the Farm Water Program are required to have a Whole Farm Plan. The plan must be for their whole property and must meet minimum standards to be considered,” Mr Norman said.
A copy of the Minimum Standards for Whole Farm Plans has been uploaded to the Farm Water Program section of the Goulburn Broken CMA website and farmers are encouraged to review this against their plans.
“Irrigators also need to be aware that they must own the land and water at the time of the call for registrations,” Mr Norman said. “Some local governments within the GMID will require plans to be certified prior to implementation and permits must be obtained from Local Government before construction commences,” he added.
The Goulburn Broken CMA, North Central CMA, North East CMA, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Goulburn Murray Water, Dairy Australia, Murray Dairy and Northern Victorian Irrigators make up the consortium responsible for administering the Farm Water Program.
For more information regarding the Farm Water Program and requirements for applications, visit the website: www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/sustainable_irrigation/farm_water.