On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (Australia)

Deadline: 30 April 2024

The Government of South Australia in partnership with the Australian Government is providing a rebate of up to 25 per cent (to a maximum of $25,000 – GST exclusive) to Primary Producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of new on-farm water infrastructure, or to repair or replace damaged infrastructure for livestock and permanent horticulture that:

addresses animal welfare needs during drought
assists primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts
assists primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts by protecting high value horticultural assets
support primary producer recovery from Natural Disasters.

Applicants must pay the full cost of the infrastructure. After taking into consideration any rebate payable, the applicant must contribute a minimum of 75% of the total cost of the infrastructure. Other government funding including grants or concessional loans or funding from insurance claims cannot be applied towards the applicant’s contribution.

Primary Producers in South Australia that received funding in rounds 1-4 of the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme will have those payments deducted from the maximum amount available under Round 4 unless applying for eligible activities under Natural Disaster.

Assistance Available

25 per cent rebate
- A 25 per cent rebate is available for:
  - costs associated with the purchase and delivery of new livestock water infrastructure including labour for an external contractor to install, and repair or replace damaged water infrastructure incurred between 1 July 2018 and 30 April 2024
  - costs associated with the purchase and installation of new water infrastructure including labour for an external contractor to install, and repair or replace damaged water infrastructure for existing permanent horticultural plantings incurred between 1 July 2019 and 30 April 2024
  - costs associated with the purchase and delivery of water infrastructure including labour for an external contractor to install, and repair or replace damaged water infrastructure for primary producers impacted by a natural disaster that occurred after 1 January 2022 with repairs or replacement of infrastructure completed by 30 April 2024.
Rebate limits
- the maximum rebate available per primary production business is $25,000 (i.e. max $25,000 per ABN) across Rounds 1 to 4 of this Scheme and includes previous applications to the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme unless applying for eligible activities under Natural Disaster
- more than one rebate application can be made to the Scheme, subject to the maximum rebate available
- the availability of rebates is subject to funds being available for the Scheme.

Eligible Activities

Rebates apply to the purchase and installation of new emergency water infrastructure, or repairs or replacement of damaged water infrastructure for:
- Livestock – New, repaired or replaced infrastructure (25 per cent rebate from 1 July 2018)
  - pipes
  - water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering
  - water pumps and associated water distribution systems (includes desalination plants, leak detection units, water level sensors, dam covers, plastic sheeting)
- Horticulture – New, repaired or replaced infrastructure (25 per cent rebate from 1 July 2019)
  - drilling of new groundwater bores and associated power supply (includes generators, desalination plants)
  - pipes associated with connecting to new water sources as an emergency measure
  - de-silting works of existing dams, where you can demonstrate that the property does not have access to groundwater
- Natural Disaster –Repaired or replaced infrastructure (25 per cent rebate after 1 January 2022)
  - pipes
  - associated with connecting to new water sources as an emergency measure
  - water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering

Applicant Eligibility

To apply for this rebate under the Scheme the following conditions must be met:

You are a property owner, share-farmer or lessee in the livestock grazing industry or horticulture industry.
Your business is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a Primary Producer and has an Australian Business Number (ABN) and is registered for GST.
Your property is located in South Australia.
As the property owner and operator, share-farmer or lessee:
- you earn more than 50 per cent of your gross income from your Primary Production Business under normal seasonal circumstances
- you have commenced your farming operation between 1 July 2018 and 30 April 2024 and 50 per cent of your gross income will be derived from your Primary Production Business within three years of the date of your application.
The water infrastructure in respect of your application is installed for livestock permanently residing on your property or for permanent horticultural plantings established on your property.
You purchased and installed new eligible water infrastructure, or repaired or replaced damaged water infrastructure for livestock on or after 1 July 2018; or
You purchased and installed new eligible water infrastructure, or repaired or replaced damaged water infrastructure for existing permanent horticultural plantings on or after 1 July 2019; or
You repaired or replaced damaged eligible water infrastructure impacted by a Natural Disaster after 1 January 2022 with repair or replacement completed by 30 April 2024.
You are required to contribute a minimum of 75% of the costs after any eligible rebate, excluding insurance or other Government grants or concessional loans.
You have not received funding from another South Australian/Australian Government program in respect of the same activities.