NSW irrigators with eligible entitlements in the Border Rivers and Lower Namoi catchments can now apply for a share in $30 million to upgrade on-farm infrastructure under Round 9 of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) $111 million Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation (STBIFM) program.

The program helps irrigators improve on-farm water efficiency by providing funding for planning, infrastructure and training.

Irrigated Farm Water Use Efficiency Assessments (IFWUEAs) are also being funded in northern NSW to assist irrigators assess their irrigation systems and identify areas for improvement.

Following feedback from irrigators, the program has made changes to Round 9 that will assist irrigators prepare a funding application and support the competition of modernisation projects.

The changes include:

• STBIFM program has been extended to June 2019
• Cut-off prices for each eligible entitlement have been announced
• Irrigators can submit an infrastructure funding application any time until 30 June 2017
• Infrastructure funding is no longer contingent on having a compliant water meter
• Applicants may now start works earlier

STBIFM Leader, Michael Grebham, said more than 70 irrigators had taken advantage of STBIFM funding in previous rounds.

“We have very satisfied irrigators who are happy with the results they’ve achieved in increasing productivity, improving their water security and accelerating their business plans,” Mr Grabham said.

“This program provides a great opportunity and I encourage irrigators to come along to a meeting to find out more while funding is still available.”

The DPI is running ‘community information’ sessions for irrigators and their advisors to discuss IFWUEAs and Round 9 funding arrangements.

Project officers will also be on hand to answer questions about the program and provide technical advice and assistance.

Monday 6 February, 2pm:

Goondiwindi

Gateway to Training Centre,  15-21 Russell Street

Tuesday 7 February, 2pm:   

Narrabri

Australian Cotton Research Institute, Wee Waa Road

Wednesday 8 February, 2pm:

Mungindi

The Daily Grind coffee shop, 234 St George

Thursday 9 February, 2pm:

Gunnedah

Town Hall 152 Conadilly Street

RSVP before Monday, February 6, by phoning your local STBIFM project officer, Peter Verwey (Narrabri), 0409 812 497 or Bill Williamson (Dubbo), 0427 660 618.

NSW Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation (STBIFM) program is funded by the Australian Government’s ‘Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure’ Program, as part of the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in NSW.

Further information about Round 9 funding is available at dpi.nsw.gov.au/land-and-water/water/sustaining-the-basin or twitter.com/NSWDPI_STBIFM

Source: NSW DPI