On-farm efficiency projects to recover more environmental water

The NSW Government is continuing to stride forward on its Murray-Darling Basin Plan commitments by opening up applications for on-farm efficiency projects to help deliver more water back to the environment.

Businesses across NSW with irrigation, stock and domestic networks, as well as urban, industrial and mining systems are being invited to apply for funding grants under the Australian Government’s $494 million Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program.

The four-year initiative builds on the success of the former Off-farm Efficiency Program, funding projects that improve and modernise water delivery infrastructure, supporting progress towards recovering 450 GL of environmental water under the Basin Plan and a healthier river system.

There are four funding streams now open for applications under the new program:

• Stream A: Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Modernisation such as installing new or upgrading water delivery networks to supply water to farms
• Stream B: Water Use Efficiency including on-farm irrigation upgrades, improving stock and domestic supply, and small-scale water saving activities
• Stream C: Targeted Efficiency Measures like upgrades to urban, industrial or mining water delivery systems and large-scale water saving activities
• Stream D: Water Recovery Project Start-Up that funds feasibility studies or preliminary work for small to medium scale projects that could eventually fall under any of the funding streams

Bringing on-farm projects into the mix is part of the NSW Government’s Alternative to Buybacks Plan, finding additional water savings that can be returned to the system to improve the health of our rivers, while also protecting communities from large-scale voluntary water buybacks.

NSW will continue to apply socioeconomic considerations to ensure these projects support regional economies and provide opportunities for community feedback.

Applications will be accepted by the Australian Government until 28 March 2025, however businesses are encouraged to apply to the NSW Government as soon as possible as it takes time to progress them for final submission to the Commonwealth.

To learn more and to find out how to apply for a grant, visit: Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Executive Director – Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty said:

“NSW has already taken positive steps in the right direction when it comes to meeting our Basin Plan targets, but ushering in on-farm projects into our vast catalogue of water saving work is the next phase that will really kick our progress into the next gear.

“This is all about preparing communities for a more uncertain water future and equipping farmers and other businesses with the tools they need to do more with less water, while also seizing the opportunity to generate economic stimulus in regional areas.

“The good news is we can get things moving quickly. There are a number of farms which were previously ineligible for funding that have been waiting in the wings and will be able to progress an application under the new program. If successful, they could potentially come online within months.

“We know our river system needs help getting back to health which is why the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program is focused on pulling out all the stops to build on our water savings that can be returned to the environment, ensuring our waterways are preserved for future generations.”