Four Upper South East farming businesses in the Salt Creek and Woods Well area are set to receive a state government contribution towards building lined water catchments on their properties.
Last week the Coorong District Council was offered $370,000 from the Regional Growth Fund towards these projects, as well as a Natural Resources Management weather station in the area.
Rising mains water costs in the past decade have forced farmers to look closely at on-farm water infrastructure with SA Water users being charged $3.44 per kilolitre.
Those on the end of the SA Water pipeline also face low levels of flow making it challenging to provide enough water, particularly during hot weather.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the project would help the region better secure its water resources.
“This project has the ability to improve the viability of livestock production that currently depends on expensive mains water, reduce spray drift and contamination to valued agriculture produce, and improve fire weather information,” he said.
Coorong District Council chief executive officer Vincent Cammell is grateful for the grant and hopes it will provide an opportunity for other mains water dependent businesses to learn more about the process of building a lined catchment.
"We have seen private pipelines and desalination plants built in the area so this is another big step in the journey of our farmers being water self-sufficient and showing them the options which can all be implemented relatively easily and effectively," he said.
"It is a great start and I am glad that the Minister (Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone) is showing interest but more needs to be done to ensure farmers can continue to run livestock in this area cost effectively and drive the state's economy.
"Having them remain in business is in everyone's interests."
