NSW Rural Assistance Authority – On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

This program aims to provide funding for one-off rebates to eligible primary producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs and improves resilience to drought.

The rebate is 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs. The maximum that can be claimed is $25,000 per farm enterprise.

The availability of rebates is subject to funds being available. No rebates will be offered beyond the allocated total funding pool.

A total funding pool of $12 million is available over three years starting in 2018-19 until 2020-21.

On 2 October 2020, the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-2021. The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with the Commonwealth, including co-funding arrangements.

More information will be published as details for this additional funding are finalised.

Eligible applicants must:
- Be a property owner, share-farmer or lessee in the grazing industry (as confirmed by the applicant's Land and Stock Return).
- Have a business that operates as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company and trades agricultural products.
- Have a property that has, or is at risk of, an emergency animal welfare need – as assessed through submission of a completed water availability statement with the application.
- As the owner and operator, earn more than 50% of their gross income from their primary production enterprise under normal seasonal circumstances, or the owners and operators of the business have commenced their farming operation between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018 and 50% of their gross income will be derived from the farm business within three years of the date of the application. The applications of new entrants will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Do not have gross off farm assets exceeding $5 million.
- Purchase and install the water infrastructure for animal welfare needs, because:
a) Water is currently being carted or about to be carted onto the property to supply livestock where water supply has run out.
b) The property could be reasonably expected to run out of water before the next expected inflow of water.
c) The work will help ensure that stock water is available into the future during adverse seasonal conditions.
- Have water infrastructure that is installed for livestock permanently residing on their property and not currently part of an agistment.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible activities include the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock including:
- Pipes
- Water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering
- Water pumps
- De-silting works of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
- Drilling of new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators
- Other materials or equipment necessary to install the above excluding purchase of machinery
- Any freight component to purchase and install the equipment
- The professional installation costs to install the water infrastructure

Please refer to the Guidelines for the list of ineligible activities.