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Murray-Darling Basin support
Applications to Centrelink for the exit grant package closed on 30 June 2009.
Exit grant applications that were lodged before the closing date are being processed.
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:
Murray-Darling Basin Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package
Irrigation Industries Workshop Program
Irrigation management grants
Murray-Darling Basin Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package
Small block irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin affected by drought and climate change can get help to leave irrigation through the Murray-Darling Basin Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant while remaining on their farms.
An exit grant of up to $150,000 is available to eligible farmers who wish to leave irrigation. In addition, a grant of up to $20,000 is available for removal of permanent plantings and other production-related infrastructure and a grant of up to $10,000 is available for advice and training.
As an irrigator, you may be eligible for an exit grant if you:
- own up to 40 hectares of irrigated farmland in the Murray-Darling Basin
- have at least 10 megalitres of entitlements to extract water from a watercourse that meet the criteria for the 'Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin' program, and are willing to sell to the Commonwealth.
The full set of eligibility criteria is available in the program guidelines below.
Applications to Centrelink for the exit grant package close on 30 June 2009.
Offers to sell water entitlements to the Commonwealth must be made to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), in a separate process, before 30 June 2009.
For more information and to find out how to apply:
- Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line: 1800 050 015
- For languages other than English: 131 202
- Visit the Centrelink Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package website
- DEWHA water tender hotline: 1800 218 478
- Visit the DEWHA website
- Program guidelines
PDF [382kb] - Program guidelines
Word [401kb]
The Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package is a joint DAFF and DEWHA program.
Survey of small block irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin
The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies completed a survey of 39 small block irrigators in the Murray Darling Basin in March 2009. The report provides the department with baseline information for policy development.
The report is available below:
- Small block irrigators survey PDF [112kb]
- Small block irrigators survey Word [280kb]
Irrigation Industries Workshop Program
Irrigators have been provided access to information sessions to assist them to manage their irrigation enterprises with reduced water allocations. These information sessions have been delivered across the Murray-Darling Basin and provide irrigators with practical and expert advice on things such as improving water use efficiency, minimising production losses and improving production planning. They have also provided advice on what changes irrigators may need to consider to manage this water shortage crisis. The program will conclude on 30 June 2009.
The workshops have been delivered by Industry Associations and Research and Development corporations. Links to their websites and further information are available below:
- Dairy industry and Dealing With Today Planning For Tomorrow
- Cotton industry and information sessions
- Rice industry
- Wine industry
Current sessions
Situation and Outlook Events 2009
| Date | Time | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 |
10.30 am–1 pm |
Mt Compass |
Mt Compass Sport Club |
|
Thursday, 23 April 2009 |
10.30 am–1 pm |
Flaxley |
Flaxley Agricultural Centre |
|
Monday, 27 April 2009 |
10.30 am–1 pm |
Cohuna |
Cohuna Bowling Club |
|
Monday, 27 April 2009 |
7–9.30 pm |
Katunga |
Football Club rooms |
|
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 |
10.30 am–1 pm |
Kyabram |
Kyabram Dairy centre |
|
Wednesday, 29 April 2009 |
10.30 am–1 pm |
Finley |
RSL Club |
|
Thursday, 30 April 2009 |
10–11 am |
Tallangatta |
Farm Expo Forum tent |
Farm Business Forum
| Date | Time | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
9.30 |
Kyabram |
Moama Bowling Club |
|
Friday, 29 May 2009 |
9.00 |
Kyabram |
Moama Bowling Club |
One-on-one Sessions - Clear Your Mind
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Thursday, 7 May 2009 |
Appointment required |
Tongala |
|
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 |
Appointment required |
Numurkah |
| Thursday, 14 May 2009 | Appointment required | Cohuna |
| Wednesday, 20 May 2009 | Appointment required | Finley |
| Wednesday, 27 May 2009 | Appointment required | Eskdale |
| To book an appointment phone 0407 315 093 |
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 |
9.00am – 5.00pm |
Murray Bridge, NRM Centre, Mannum Road |
|
Friday, 29 May 2009 |
9.00am – 5.00pm |
Mount compass, Sports and Social Club |
| An appointment is required please call Verity Ingham on 0428 660 127 |
||
One-on-one Sessions
Some industry groups included one-on-one sessions with irrigators. For further information on these, see the industry listed below:
Irrigation management grants
Applications for the Murray-Darling Basin Irrigation Management Grants program closed on 31 March 2009. Centrelink are no longer accepting new applications.
Grants of up to $20,000 (GST exclusive) were made available to Murray-Darling Basin irrigators to help them 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.
Recipients have until 30 June 2009 to spend the grant.
For recipients that have been paid up-front and that can demonstrate difficulty with complying with the requirement to spend funds by 30 June 2009, and can demonstrate they are making the necessary arrangements as soon as is reasonably practicable to implement the activity, the deadline to undertake eligible activities will be 31 December 2009.
Irrigators could select from the following activities:
- piping, troughs and associated activities for stock and domestic water
- fixed water charges
- sinking/extending/refurbishment of bores (and pumps)
- pruning activities to minimise the impact of low water allocations
- reconfiguring irrigation systems
- equipment replacement to maintain irrigation systems (including computer software, piping and pumps)
- costs associated with implementing water efficient crop options
- laser leveling.
Assistance will not be paid for:
- the purchase or leasing of vehicles
- purchasing water or fodder
- refinancing existing loans
- accounting fees
- the purchase or service of assets not directly involved in the operation of the farm enterprise.
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 or view the frequently asked questions.
The guidelines for the Murray-Darling Basin Irrigation Management Grants provide details about eligibility requirements.
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 download 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.