Capital Grants Scheme

Goulburn-Murray Water is responsible for the administration of incentive schemes on behalf of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.  Funding for the incentive schemes is a major component of the Subsurface Drainage Program which aims to protect and maintain the Shepparton Irrigation Region's land and water resources from salinisation through managment of the region's groundwater.

Eligibility criteria for assistance include:

  • Properties must be within the Shepparton Irrigation Region, which includes land in the Central Goulburn, Shepparton, Rochester and Murray Valley Irrigation Areas and the Campaspe irrigation District
  • Areas with high watertables
  • The salinity of the groundwater should be suitable for irrigation
  • Potential yield of at least 20 ML per annum of groundwater

 

Capital grants for new and existing groundwater pump systems

Financial assistance may be available in high risk salinity areas for the installatoin of new groundwater pumping systems or upgrading an existing groundwater pumping system.  All applicants are assessed according to current criteria and conditions.  Some of the conditions include:

  • Approved Whole Farm Plan
  • Appropriate licence obtained
  • Appropriate approvals by Goulburn-Murray Water
  • Works must be undertaken in accordance with conditions applicable at the time of application

 

Installation of a new system for irrigation

The amount of grant is based on a percentage of the total cost approved by G-MW up to a maximum of $20,000.  The percentage is determined by on farm activities that are part of the Catchment Strategy such as automatic irrigation systems, on-farm water reuse systems and tree planting.

Components of a new groundwater pumping system eligible for capital grants are the wellpoints and headerline, pump, priming system, motor, pit, shed, delivery line and electrical supply and connection.  Powercor may provide some assistance for the supply of electricity to the site.

 

Upgrading an existing pumping system

There are three types of grants available to upgrade existing groundwater pumping systems:

  • Increasing the capacity or volume of the groundwater pumping system
  • Replacement of below-ground works
  • Electrical conversion

Before a capital grant is allocated for major below-ground works, a G-MW accredited contractor needs to determine the type and extent of the problem.  This may involve the contractor pressure testing the system to find an air leak, or excavating the headerline and some wellpoints to assess the state of the pipe.  A G-MW officer must inspect the works to determine if they are eligible for assistance.  The landholder is reponsible for engaging and paying for the preliminary works.  If assistance is approved these works will be included in the grant payment.

 

Electrical conversion

Conversion of an existing diesel engine to electricity may be eligible for a grant up to $4,000 of the approved total cost.

 

Increasing the capacity of a groundwater pump

Capital grant for increasing the capacity of a groundwater pump is based on a percentage of the total cost apprvoed by G-MW up to a maximum of $20,000.  Works may include additonal wellpoints, larger pump and/or motor, or a delivery pipeline to irrigate additional land.  Works that are not eligible are replacing worn out components of a groundwater pump system such as a motor, or works that are required as part of the farm irrigation infrastructure.