Government Drought Assistance

Government Rebate for Fixed Water Charges

The Government Drought Assistance Rebate has been applied to the Annual Fixed Charges Account for eligible customers. 

Eligible customers are all irrigators and stock and domestic customers receiving less than 40% of their entitlement by 1 December 2007.

The State Government has paid up to the first $1000 of fixed charges, and 50% of the balance for bills higher than $1000.

If you are an eligible customer the total rebate you have received can be found against the Item Drought Assistance Rebate on your account. 

If any of the system's allocation subsequently exceeds 40 percent by 1 December and the rebate no longer applies, G-MW will issue an Adjustment Account.

 

Eligibility

Eligible rural water customers include:

  • Irrigators supplied by regulated systems* who are receiving less than 40% of their normal entitlement as at 1 December 2007.
  • Regulated surface water diverters receiving less than 40% of their normal entitlement as at 1 December 2007.
  • Stock and domestic customers supplied by regulated systems that are operating at less than 40% of their normal allocation as at 1 December 2007;
  • Groundwater diverters within the Water Supply and Protection Areas** who are receiving less than an amount equivalent to 40% of their normal entitlement as at 1 December 2007.
  • Unregulated surface water^ diverters likely to receive less than 40% of their water (as assessed by the water corporation on 1 December)

*Regulated systems are those where large dams or weirs regulate the flow of the river.

**Water Supply Protection Areas are land areas declared under the Water Act 1989 to protect groundwater or surface water resources.

^Unregulated river systems are systems without major dams or weirs built to assist in the supplying or extracting water.

 

Other Australian Government Drought Assistance Opportunities

  • an increase to the off-farm income exemption from $10 000 to $20 000 when claiming Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment or Interim Income Support
  • immediate access to the $5500 Professional Advice and Planning Grant (GST included) for farmers in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared areas
  • an extension of the eligibility requirements of small businesses access to EC assistance, to include small businesses located in towns that are substantially reliant on farm income, have a population of 10 000 or less, and are in an EC area (including prima facia and interim assistance areas)
  • a grant of up to $20 000 to irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin to implement water management strategies in response to significantly reduced water allocations
  • an exit grant of up to $150 000 for farmers who have decided to leave the land, and an increase in the assets limit to access this grant to $575 000 (maximum grant payable if assets below $350 000), and
  • a further $10 000 is available for advice and re-training, and up to $10 000 for relocation expenses is also available to those who take up the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant.

 

For further information about these packages visit Centrelink on http://www.centrelink.gov.au/ or Phone the Drought Assistance Line on 13 2316, the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line on FreeCALLTM1800 050 015 or the Farmer Assistance Line on FreeCALLTM1800 050 585

You can also visit the Department of Primary Industries Drought Information website.

 

Government Media Release - Premier Announces $100 Million Drought Relief Package

Government Media Release - Publicly Listed Companies Not Eligible for Water Rebate