Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary Industries

Assistance Available For Irrigation Upgrades

Financial assistance continues to be available to farmers in and adjacent to the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) to assist them to make their farms more water-efficient.

By Department of Primary Industries - 16th August 2006 - Back to News

A rebate of seventy-five percent is available to assist with the completion of a whole farm plan.

For farmers who already have a whole farm plan and are in a position to spend money on their irrigation layout, the next few months may be an appropriate time to install a re-use system or to change an area from flood to spray irrigation.

Irrigation re-use systems attract a rebate of fifty percent of the cost of construction up to a maximum of $17,400 plus GST each. The costs that can be included when building a re-use include digging the sump, drainage works, pump, motor, suction and delivery lines, a shed, power connection and fences.

Re-use systems in the MID re-cycle between one and two megalitres of water annually for each hectare of flood irrigated land that they collect water off. This dramatically improves farm water security.

If land is converted from flood to spray irrigation a rebate of fifteen percent of the cost of construction, up to a maximum of $430 per hectare plus GST, is paid. Any costs that are incurred in making the change will be considered in calculating the rebate.

Landholder experience indicates that converting land to spray irrigation will save around one megalitre of water per hectare due to reduced run off, and depending on soil type, up to five megalitres per hectare due to reduced deep drainage. Again, these savings can dramatically improve farm water security.

Farmers who wish to participate in the Irrigation Incentives Program are asked to contact Ken Slee or Chris Kooloos at DPI Maffra on 5147 0800 for further information.

This program is funded under the Victorian State Government’s Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Action Plan and Water Smart Farms Initiative.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
  West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District.
• Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
  Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
  Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation.
• Bass Coast Shire Council begins Cowes foreshore upgrades with $8M funding improvements for safer, greener, connected spaces
  Bass Coast Shire Council will soon commence the Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged civil and landscaping upgrades with $8 million federal funding, revitalising Cowes into a safer, greener and more connected destination.
• Wellington Shire Council invites open conversations on financial pressures impacting community services, roads, and facilities
  Wellington Shire Council faces rising costs, rate caps, and funding pressures, yet remains committed to delivering essential services and urging government reform to better support regional communities into the future.
• Southern Rural Water declares spill entitlement in MID, boosting farmers' allocations as Lake Glenmaggie nears capacity
  Southern Rural Water has declared a spill for Macalister Irrigation District customers until 16 September, providing water above 100% allocation as Lake Glenmaggie nears capacity at 98% following strong winter inflows.