Applications open for Far North water infrastructure grants
Livestock SA is calling for applications from pastoralists seeking funding for on‐property works under the new Far North Water Infrastructure Grant Scheme.
The scheme enables drought‐affected pastoralists in the Far North to apply for up to a $25,000 grant to cover up to 50 percent of costs for eligible water infrastructure projects.
Examples of eligible projects that improve the supply and spread of stock water include:
- Replacing or upgrading polypipes, tanks, bores, troughs or pumps, and other materials required for their installation.
-Freight to purchase and install equipment.
- Costs of professionals to install the water infrastructure.
- Cleaning of existing dams and watering points.
Livestock SA Northern Region chairman Colin Greenfield says the scheme is welcome news because many pastoralists had been waiting and wondering whether they will qualify for the funding assistance.
“Applications are also able to partly cover the in‐kind labour involved in these projects,” he said. “This is an excellent outcome for these pastoralists who have been in drought for two‐and‐a‐half years and now will have a way to plan how they manage stock as summer nears.”
The scheme is a collaboration between the State and Federal Governments, following their drought funding support announcements in June. Assistance includes $150,000 for water infrastructure from the State Government, plus extra money for wild dog control. The SA Arid
Lands NRM Board committed $100,000 to the scheme, increasing the funds to $250,000.
With Federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce’s announcement to commit to matching the State contribution, Livestock SA is expecting that when it receives the Commonwealth funds, the total funding for water infrastructure will be about $425,000.
All aspects of the project must be completed by May 31, 2015. Livestock SA is administering the project in collaboration with PIRSA and the NRM Board for Pastoral Businesses in the SA Arid Lands NRM Region.