Funding boost for NSW emergency water infrastructure
NSW landowners can access funds to complete water infrastructure following the expansion of the Australian Government’s Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (EWIRS).
The rebate program will provide an additional $13 million for drought-affected livestock farmers to purchase and upgrade water infrastructure.
Primary producers who are eligible for funding can access rebates of up to $25,000 on new purchases and installation costs of water infrastructure projects. This includes the installation of pipes, water storages and water pumps, de-silting dams and associated power supplies such as generators.
The program will also now allow horticulturalists with permanent plantings, who were previously ineligible for funding, to access it.
NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said many farmers have already accessed the program, with the initial allocation of $10 million exhausted and 650 applications awaiting processing and funding.
“These producers have been doing it incredibly tough with ongoing drought conditions." Mr Marshall said.
The EWIRS is funded by the Australian Government and administered by the NSW Government.
Applications close 30 June 2021 or earlier if the funding allocation is exhausted.