On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme extended for 12 months

Drought-affected Wide Bay farmers will be given another 12 months to apply for funding to help them build much-needed infrastructure, subject to the Queensland Government’s participation in the scheme.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said growers and producers would now have until June 2022 to access up to $50 million through the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (OFEWIRS) once the Queensland Government signs up.

“The Coalition Government has listened to farmers and we recognised the importance of the scheme by doubling the Federal funding available as well as extending the time-frames, giving our producers more time to access this assistance,” Mr O’Brien said.

The scheme can be used to fund small scale on-farm drought-proofing water projects, including buying and laying pipes, installing water storage devices, such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering and desilting dams and water bores.

“This is great news for farmers affected by drought, as these rebates empower farmers to take proactive steps to ensure their properties remain drought resilient,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The OFEWIRS has been a hugely popular program that’s made a real difference for thousands of farmers and producers who are continuing to work hard to overcome the devastating challenges of drought.”

“This is funding that growers need, that the Coalition Government has allocated, and now we need the Queensland State Government to hurry up and sign up to the program so Queensland farmers can access this assistance.”

For more information on the rebate please visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.