On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (TAS)

This program aims to provide a one-off rebate to eligible primary producers in drought affected areas for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that:
- Addresses animal welfare needs.
- Helps primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts.
- Increases productivity for primary producers.
- Mitigates degradation of natural watering points.

The rebate claimable under the scheme is 25% of the costs (exclusive of GST) associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure. The maximum rebate that can be claimed is $25,000 (excluding GST) per primary production business.

The program will be implemented in Tasmania over the three financial years 2018-19 to 2020-21.

Eligible applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
- The applicant is a property owner, share-farmer or lessee in the grazing industry (including the beef, dairy, sheep meat, wool or other grazing industries).
- The applicant operates a primary production business as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company.
- The applicant:
a) Earns more than 50% of its gross income from primary production activities under normal seasonal circumstances.
b) Commenced operating the primary production business between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018 and more than 50% of the applicant’s gross income will be derived from the business within three years of the date of the application (the eligibility of new entrants will be considered on a case by case basis).
- The applicant’s property is located in an eligible area impacted by drought (refer to the Eligible Area Map).
- The water infrastructure detailed in the applicant’s application was purchased and installed:
a) On or after 1 July 2018: For grazing livestock owned by the applicant (not stock agisted on the property), for an animal welfare need and to improve drought resilience.
b) On or after 1 July 2019: To provide water for permanent horticultural plantings and to improve drought resilience.

Eligible activities must be for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock including:
- Pipes.
- Water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering.
- Water pumps and associated water distribution systems.
- The drilling of new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators.
- Desilting of existing dams.
- Any other materials or equipment necessary to install the above water infrastructure, including any freight component to purchase and install the equipment but excluding the purchase of machinery.
- Any professional costs to install the water infrastructure.
- The cost of obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals for the water infrastructure.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the list of ineligible activities.