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Grant program to assist irrigators along the River Murray

Thursday, 13 August 2009

A grant program is now available for South Australia’s multi-million dollar horticulture industry to assist River Murray irrigators keep their long-term viable plantings alive.

The government will provide grants to those irrigators along the River Murray who have to purchase water to keep their permanent plantings alive over the upcoming season.

The move follows on from last year’s successful program where the State Government provided more than 1300 irrigators with critical water allocations.

Helen Lamont, PIRSA Director Sustainable Systems said the program will provide grants to assist irrigators who have to purchase water to ensure the survival of permanent plantings based on crop type, area and critical survival needs.

“The value of the reimbursement grants will be calculated once the final water allocations are known in early 2010,” she said.

“Irrigators will need to purchase water then claim the reimbursement grant of up to $260 per megalitre once final allocations are known.

“They must also demonstrate the long-term viability of their business to be eligible for a grant, and if they don’t have a current business plan, they’ll need to commit to developing one in the near future.

“Those irrigators who received critical water allocations last year will only need to update information detailing the number of hectares they have under permanent planting and provide the most recent tax return.

“A letter from their banks indicating they’re prepared to continue on with their financial support may also be required.

“The amount of water required for the survival of plantings will vary from crop to crop and the Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA will carry out these calculations.

“The calculations will be based on the type of crop and how much water is needed for survival.

“The assessment will not take into consideration carry-over water or temporary ‘top-up’ allocations traded in during the current irrigation year.”

PIRSA will support irrigators in the application process over the next three months.

Workshops will be run to assist irrigators make best use of the grant in their businesses. Information and assistance will also be provided through the Riverland Response Centre.

Applications will close on October 31 and irrigators will be able to claim grant payments by 30 April 2010, once final allocations are known.

For more information on the State Government’s irrigated industry support grant for permanent plantings, irrigators can contact the Riverland Response Centre on free-call 1800 857 327.