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Murray-Darling Basin support
If you have been affected by reduced water allocations and the drought, you’re not alone.
The Australian Government is supporting irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin that have been affected by reduced water allocations through the following new measures:
Irrigation Industries Workshop Program
Irrigation Management Grants
On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency (Pilot Projects) Program
Irrigation Industries Workshop Program
Irrigators will have access to information sessions to assist them to manage their irrigation enterprises with reduced water allocations. These information sessions will be delivered across the Murray-Darling Basin and will provide irrigators with practical and expert advice on things such as improving water use efficiency, minimising production losses and improving production planning. Irrigators will also be able to seek advice on what changes they may need to consider to manage this water shortage crisis.
Further details, including dates, towns and venues of the information sessions are available from the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line on 1800 050 015 and from the information below.
See the following regions for Workshop location details:
Darling Downs (Condomine/Balonne)
Cotton Industry 
PDF [137kb]
Dairy Industry PDF [145kb]
Border Rivers/Gwydir Region
Cotton Industry PDF [1mb]
Namoi Valley
Cotton Industry PDF [137kb]
Western Catchment Region (NSW)
Central West Catchment Region (NSW)
Cotton Industry PDF [138kb]
Lachlan Catchment Region
Dairy Industry PDF [135kb]
Murrumbidgee Catchment Region
Dairy Industry PDF [153kb]
Horticulture Industry PDF [134kb]
Goulburn – Broken Region (VIC)
Northern Victoria and Riverina
Dairy Industry PDF [150kb]
Horticulture Industry PDF [134kb]
Rice Industry PDF [138kb]
Wine Industry PDF [132kb]
Murray Valley
Wine Industry PDF [132kb]
Sunraysia
Horticulture Industry PDF [136kb]
Wine Industry PDF [132kb]
Riverland
Wine Industry PDF [135kb]
Lower Murray and Lakes
Dairy Industry PDF [139kb]
Wine Industry PDF [143kb]
(Last updated 22/08/08)
The workshops are being delivered by Industry Associations and Research and Development corporations. Links to their websites and further information are available below:
One-on-one Sessions
Some Industry groups are holding one-on-one sessions with irrigators. For further information on these, see the industry listed below:
Irrigation Management Grants
The Government is also providing grants of up to $20 000 (GST exclusive) to assist Murray-Darling Basin irrigators to implement water management strategies. Grants are available to help irrigators undertake a range of approved activities that address reduced water allocations and improve on-farm practices to maximise production from the water that is available.
Irrigators will be able to access to the grant for approved activities undertaken from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2009.
Irrigators can select from the following activities:
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piping, troughs and associated activities for stock and domestic water
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fixed water charges
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sinking/extending/refurbishment of bores (and pumps)
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pruning activities to minimise the impact of low water allocations
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reconfiguring irrigation systems
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equipment replacement to maintain irrigation systems (including computer software, piping and pumps)
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costs associated with implementing water efficient crop options
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laser leveling.
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Assistance will not be paid for:
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the purchase or leasing of vehicles
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purchasing water or fodder
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refinancing existing loans
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accounting fees
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the purchase or service of assets not directly involved in the operation of the farm enterprise.
Application forms are available on the Centrelink website, at Centrelink offices and through your local Rural Services Officers and Rural Financial Counsellors.
For further details on the grants for improved water management, call the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line on 1800 050 015, download the fact sheet PDF [272kb] or view the frequently asked questions PDF [115kb].
All farmers, including irrigators, living in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared areas are eligible to apply for a range of assistance measures, including income support payments and interest rate subsidies. You may also wish to down load a map of the Murray Darling Basin PDF [779kb], including Exceptional Circumstances areas.
To provide additional support to those living in the Murray-Darling Basin a dedicated unit has been set up in the region. There are also additional Rural Financial Counsellors, Centrelink Rural Service Officers and social workers available in the Basin.
For more information on the Murray-Darling Basin initiative visit the Department of Human Services website.
On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency (Pilot Projects) Program
As part of the $10 billion 10-year National Water Plan, the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is piloting the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program, which aims to stimulate private investment in efficient on-farm irrigation as well as transferring water to the Commonwealth for tmurrhe environment.
Organisations with direct links to on-farm irrigators were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to undertake pilot projects in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. EOIs submitted by the closing date (10 December 2007) are currently being assessed and successful applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal against the On Farm Irrigation Efficiency (Pilot Projects) Program Guidelines. Further details about the pilot program are available on the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.
