Apply for On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program (Australia)

Objectives

• Drought is one of a number of business risks that farmers should actively prepare for and adapt to. Primary production businesses are encouraged to have drought management plans or business plans to support their drought preparedness.
• The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants program will help primary producers in south west Victoria undertake infrastructure development projects to help in the management of current drought conditions and enhance the preparedness and longer-term viability of their businesses in a changing climate.

Funding Information

• A grant of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) per eligible primary production business is available to assist with implementation of on-farm infrastructure improvements.

Eligible Infrastructure Improvements

• Eligible infrastructure improvements are those that will improve drought preparedness and better position the primary production business into the future. A dollar for dollar co-contribution is required. Infrastructure improvements include the following (but are not limited to):
  • Items to construct a new, or upgrade an existing, Stock Containment Area (SCA) – such as fencing, gates, troughs, piping, tanks and pumps
  • Reticulated water systems using pumps, piping, tanks and troughs for livestock
  • Irrigation system upgrades (e.g. automated systems)
  • Purchase or repair of fixed infrastructure (e.g. irrigation pumps, repair piping, replace troughs, upgrade tanks)
  • Improved on-farm water infrastructure for stock management (e.g. consolidating / enlarging / desilting farm dams)
  • Technologies to improve drought management efficiencies to farm production systems (e.g. soil moisture monitoring, weather stations, telemetry sensor equipment)
  • Grain and fodder storage (e.g. silos, silage bunkers, hay sheds)
  • Internal fencing to better match property layout with land capability or improve management
  • Fencing for the exclusion of wildlife to protect and manage crops and pastures
  • Addition of shelter belts for shade, wind breaks and erosion control
  • Drilling of new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators
  • Improving waste water and effluent management systems
  • Upgrading of areas (e.g. laneway upgrades, repairs or expansion) to deliver lasting benefits directly linked to productivity and profitability
  • Feeding system upgrades (e.g. feed pads or feed troughs)
• All appropriate statutory approvals and licenses must be obtained for the eligible infrastructure activities, where applicable. This is the responsibility of the applicant.

Ineligible Activities

• Activities and expenses not eligible for the grant include (but are not limited to):
  • Fodder and/or water carting expenses
  • Management tools that are part of standard farm production and not directly contributing to drought preparedness e.g. finance software
  • Wages for employees, self-assessed labor or transport costs
  • Livestock electronic identification devices or equipment
  • Training costs
  • Replacing existing agricultural machinery and equipment (e.g. tractors and trailers)
  • Purchase, lease or acquisition of land
  • Purchase, lease or maintenance of vehicles (e.g. tractors, cars, motorbikes, quadbikes, quadbike safety devices and trucks)
  • Utilities and operating costs of the business (e.g. gas, electricity, rates)
  • Standard variable inputs (normal operations e.g. water, grain, fertiliser, seed and fodder)
  • Purchase of livestock
  • Standard boundary or house fencing
  • Pre-existing annual fees
  • Administration, legal or insurance costs
  • Breeding technologies (e.g. DNA analysis, semen purchases, Artificial Insemination, or Embryo Transplant program)
  • Farm business exit strategy assistance
  • Activities not ready for implementation
  • Any infrastructure works completed and paid for prior to the announcement of this grant program on 30 September 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • Own, share or lease a primary production business located in an eligible LGA or post code in the West Wimmera LGA.
  • Hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the program announcement (30 September 2024).
  • Devote part of their labour to the primary production business.
  • Derive more than 50% of gross income from the primary production business in an average year OR generate more than $75,000 gross income from the primary production business in an average year.
• The minimum grant amount available to eligible applicants is $1,000 (excluding GST). The maximum is $5,000 (excluding GST). Eligible primary production businesses must provide a matching co-contribution equal to or greater than the approved grant amount
• One grant will be offered per applicant.
• An applicant who operates more than one primary production business may only apply for a grant for one of their businesses.
• Infrastructure works that have been completed and paid for prior to the announcement of this grant program on 30 September 2024 will not be eligible for funding.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to base potential infrastructure improvements on current business plans.
• Where activities can be funded through other Commonwealth Government and state programs they will not be funded through the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants program.

For more information, visit Rural Finance.