Farmers battling drought in New South Wales can now apply for an increased rebate for installing water infrastructure to supply their animals with emergency water needs.

Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, have signed an agreement to increase funding for the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate.

“For farmers doing it tough in NSW this agreement means the maximum claimed under this scheme has now risen from $30,000 to $50,000,” Minister Joyce said.

“The rebate can cover up to 75 per cent of the cost of purchase, delivery and installation costs of water infrastructure for emergency animal welfare needs—it will make a big difference to primary producers.

“The rebate can be used for the purchase and installation of water infrastructure including pipes, tanks, bores, troughs, pumps and delivery and installation costs.

“Farmers who have already received the rebate are now eligible for an additional rebate. The additional rebate from the Australian Government will be automatically paid to all approved applications.”

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said Commonwealth support for this program, which the NSW Government first introduced for primary producers in North West NSW in November, is welcome.

“Drought has severely impacted many primary producers in NSW and it is pleasing the Commonwealth Government has now come forward with a comprehensive range of support measures which complement those implemented by the NSW Government,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“If farmers have any concerns they should contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more information and advice on their eligibility.

“Twenty-seven local government areas – and the far west Unincorporated Area – are now eligible for emergency assistance in NSW, which includes the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate.”

Source: Federal agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce and NSW primary industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson. To apply, contact the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority on 02 6391 3000.