$50 Million More For Farmers

TODAY the Australian Government committed a further $50 million towards the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, which was exhausted earlier this year in May.

Farmers who are still facing drought conditions, including the 2,000 applicants who and have already applied for the scheme, will soon have increased water access.

Once the scheme is re-opened, it could be used to create on-farm water storage, drill new bores, de-silt dry dams and install pipelines.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is now calling on the NSW Government to match the $50 million commitment.

“There are three essentials when you take on a farm; number one is the kitchen or you don’t eat, number two is water or stock don’t drink and three is fencing or you don’t know where the stock are,” Mr Joyce said.

“As we are in the state of NSW, we also expect the full support of the government of NSW,” he said.

“We have $50 million on the table for this fund and the State is equally responsible for provision of this outcome so they must match it,” he said.

“It’s expensive but if you run out of water you’ve got big problems,” said mr Joyce.

New South Wales Farmers president James Jackson said the Australian Government’s decision to commit further funding exemplifies the way industry and government can work together to achieve positive outcomes.

“We commend the federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud and Minister for Water Keith Pitt for their response to industry’s concerns by allocating new funding for the scheme,” Mr Jackson said.

“Today’s announcement includes matched funding from the State Government,” he said.

“We look forward to this being agreed to allow the quick reopening of the scheme and payment to those farmers who have applications pending,” he said.

Mr Jackson said the $50 million commitment will come as a relief to farmers, as the rebate will help drought recovery and build resilience for future drought.

“Access to water is critical for healthy stock and crops…during this devastating drought this scheme has been critical for farmers,” Mr Jackson said.

“By providing a 25 percent rebate on the cost of new water infrastructure, the scheme stimulates local economies, both through the purchase of infrastructure and the engagement of local labour,” he said.

“Such economic stimulus will be important for regional communities as they recover from the impacts of Covid-19,” said Mr Jackson.