The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is urging farmers to make the most of this year’s record grain harvest to invest in on-farm water security.
The Department has called on the farmers to take part in its Farm Water Supply Planning Scheme and carry out a water audit.
“Many communities in the State’s dryland agricultural regions have experienced significantly reduced rainfall as a result of climate change, which has seriously impacted non-potable water supplies in these areas,” the Department said.
“Through our scheme, commercial broad-acre farmers can apply for a rebate of up to $1,000 to fund an audit of their on-farm water supply.”
It said the audit provided farmers with a recognised water conservation and management plan, and a robust framework to base water resource management decisions for their farms.
“Information on current on-farm water supplies is collected as part of the audit to determine if water demands for livestock and spray cropping needs are being met,” it said.
“The audit also identifies work the applicant can undertake to improve and increase on-farm water supplies such as enlargement of dams, upgraded catchments or the construction of new water supplies.
“It includes the estimated costs of water infrastructure which can be used by farmers in their annual budgeting to build and develop priority water supply improvements.”
Minister for Water, Dave Kelly said the Government continued to allocate funds for off-farm supplies “so now is the ideal time for farmers to invest in their on-farm supplies”.
“For $1,000, a water audit can help deliver a blueprint for future on-farm water security for farmers,” Mr Kelly said.
“I would encourage any eligible farmer to take this opportunity and make the most of the rebate available.”
Further information about the Farm Water Supply Planning Scheme can be accessed at this PS News link.
