What is On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme?

The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is a program for drought affected livestock farmers to help with the costs of purchasing and installing water infrastructure for animal welfare needs.

 

Background

The South Australian Government in partnership with the Australian Government is providing a one-off rebate of up to 50 per cent (to a maximum of $50,000) (GST exclusive) to primary producers in drought affected areas for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of On-farm Water infrastructure for livestock and horticulture that:

  • assists primary producers to be more productive
  • assists in mitigating degradation of natural watering points
  • addresses animal welfare needs
  • assists primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts

The availability of rebates is subject to funds being available in the Program. No rebates will be offered beyond the allocated funding. Both governments have allocated $5 million to the program.

Effective 10 December 2019, the South Australian Government has extended the program, providing a top up for eligible activities.

 

Funding

The maximum rebate claimable under the Program is $50,000 based on up to 50 per cent of the GST exclusive costs associated with the purchase and installation of On-farm water infrastructure for livestock and horticulture incurred during 2019/20. Costs associated with the purchase and installation of On-farm water infrastructure for livestock incurred during 2018/19 attract a maximum rebate of up to $25,000 based on up to 25% of GST exclusive costs.

 

Eligible Projects

This rebate applies to the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock (incurred after 1 July 2018) and permanent horticultural plantings (incurred after 30 June 2019) as listed below:

  • Livestock
    • pipes
    • water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering
    • water pumps
    • de-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
    • drilling of new stock groundwater bores and associated necessary equipment/power supply such as generators and desalinisation plants to ensure water is usable for the intended purpose
    • power supply such as generators, desalination plants
    • other materials or equipment necessary to install the above excluding purchase of machinery
    • any freight component to purchase and install the equipment
    • the professional installation costs to install the water infrastructure.
  • Horticulture
    • drilling of new horticulture groundwater bores and associated necessary equipment/power supply such as generators and desalinisation plants to ensure water is usable for the intended purpose.
    • de-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater

Eligible activities are outlined below:

  • Livestock
    • pipes and fittings
    • water storage devices (such as tanks and troughs) associated with stock watering
    • water pumps
    • de-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
    • drilling of new stock groundwater bores and associated necessary equipment/power supply such as generators and desalinisation plants to ensure water is usable for the intended purpose
    • other materials or equipment necessary to install the above excluding purchase of machinery
    • any freight component to purchase and install the equipment
    • the professional installation costs to install the water infrastructure.
  • Horticulture
    • drilling of new horticulture groundwater bores and associated necessary equipment/power supply such as generators and desalinisation plants to ensure water is usable for the intended purpose.
    • de-silting of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater

 

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a property owner, share-farmer or lessee in the grazing industry
  • operate as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company and trade agricultural products
  • own a property which is located in one of the eligible areas
  • not have gross off farm assets of more than $5 million
  • earn more than 50% of your gross income from your farm business under normal seasonal circumstances, or
  • have commenced your farm business between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018 and derive 50% of your gross income from the farm business within three years of the date of applying

 

Timing

Applications close 31 March 2021.’

 

More Information