Water rebates passed for Far West NSW

The NSW and federal government announced it will deliver $12 million in federal rebates to help drought-affected livestock farmers buy and upgrade on-farm water infrastructure, covering 25 per cent of the cost, up to $25,000.

This On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is part of a national $50m planned across the next three years, with the state and territory governments to administer and deliver the rebates.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website said delivery arrangements were being negotiated with states, with some to be finalised and announced early this year.

Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling president Lachlan Gall said the group had first suggested rebates in May as part of its recommendations to NSW Primary Industries and Water Minister Niall Blair, as well as the state’s drought coordinators and the national coordinator-general for drought.

The rebate can be applied to buying and installing pipes, water storages and water pumps, desilting dams, and associated power supplies, such as generators.

“These are all things we need to improve water supply for stock and domestic purposes,” Mr Gall said.

“Improving water infrastructure is a measure that is going to help in this drought and the next drought, so it has a good return on investment with long-term benefits.”

Mr Gall said many pastoralists in the region had already exceeded the $100,000 limit in the past six months as they looked to manage their water supplies with dam desilting, pipelines and pump installation.

The scheme has been backdated to works undertaken since July 1 for NSW farmers.

Mr Gall believed $12m would not be sufficient to meet demand and was calling on the government to top up the scheme if required.

He was also hopeful the scheme would be rolled out quickly to other states.

“A drought doesn’t respect lines on a map,” he said.

Livestock SA board member Gillian Fennell, Lambina Station, said the scheme was similar to one used in SA during the last drought.

“I’m quite happy to see any resources and tools made available to help install and repair infrastructure to ensure animal welfare outcomes,” she said.

Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud said this rebate would help NSW farmers improve drought resilience.

“It's important we support drought-affected farmers so they can manage their water and prepare for future droughts,” he said. “New water infrastructure will also make farmers more productive after the drought breaks.”

The SA government was contacted for comment.