More livestock producers in the Parkes electorate will have access to practical support to help them cope with drought, with the Australian Government committing another $50 million for the popular On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
The rebate pays up to 25 per cent of eligible infrastructure costs, capped at $25,000, and can be used by livestock producers to drill new bores, desilt dams and install pipes, tanks and troughs.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he was thrilled the Australian Government had made the additional $50 million available this financial year so farmers could emerge from drought with better tools to help them drive profitability and productivity.
“This Scheme has been enormously popular with farmers in my electorate and they’ve been calling for it to be extended,” Mr Coulton said.
“It is a practical program which incentivises investment in on-farm water infrastructure projects, and this top-up means more livestock producers in my electorate can benefit.
“Recent rain across many parts of the Parkes electorate is certaintly cause for optimism – but recovering from the drought we’ve been experiencing takes years and not months.
“These rebates will allow livestock producers to build further resilience for future droughts.”
For more information about the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme visit www.agriculture.gov.au/water/
Background
The Australian Government will partner with the states and territories who must match the Commonwealth funding for eligible on-farm water infrastructure projects.
The Scheme is also accessible to horticulturalists with permanent plantings.
In New South Wales, the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) administers and delivers the rebates (www.raa.nsw.gov.au)
There are currently more than 2000 applications across Australia that would miss out on funding if the Government did not make this additional funding available.
