An irrigation infrastructure modernisation initiative for New South Wales

Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation (STBIFM) is a program being delivered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The Australian Government are providing $83M of funding from the ‘Water for the Future’ initiative.

STBIFM will improve the long term sustainability of regional communities by allowing irrigators to maintain or improve productivity, adapt to reduced water availability and provide water back to the environment through upgrading irrigation infrastructure in the NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi/Peel and Macquarie/Cudgegong water management areas.

STBIFM aims to achieve water savings by improving on-farm water use efficiency (WUE) and reduce the direct extraction of water from the regulated river water sources from each valley.

STBIFM will be implemented up to October 2017 however, annual reviews of the uptake of the infrastructure incentives will guide the ongoing availability of funding opportunities and continuation of the project.

DPI will also develop and deliver a capacity building and skills development program to complement the infrastructure incentives.

For further specific enquiries on STBIFM please email: IFM.Info@dpi.nsw.gov.au

General Brochure (276KB)

Update on STBIFM. 20 May 2013

Following two successful rounds of funding delivering positive outcomes for irrigators, DPI is currently conducting an internal review of the NSW Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm Modernisation project. The review is part of DPI’s internal governance processes and will be completed before details of Round 3 are announced.

DPI advises that interested irrigators can submit an Eligibility Check Request and application for IFWUEA funding via the proper processes at any time.

Notification of eligibility will not be provided until the review is complete but DPI encourages any interested irrigators to register their interest in readiness for an announcement of Round 3.

Irrigators who have already been assessed as eligible to participate can submit a new application for IFWUEA funding up to COB Monday 3 June 2013.

However, no approvals to proceed will be provided to new applicants until the details of Round 3 are announced.

IFWUEAs which have already been approved will proceed without change.

For further information on the IFWUEA funding process or any other aspect of STBIFM please email IFM.info@dpi.nsw.gov.au or contact your regional project staff member.

DPI encourage all interested parties to subscribe to the free Update Bulletin service (right hand side of this page) to keep informed of the status of the project.

Round two

DPI wish to advise eligible irrigators that Round two is now closed.

Submitted applications will now be assessed for technical feasibility, and value for money over the next few weeks.

Following this process irrigators will be notified of the success of their applications by DPI.

For further information on the application process or any aspect of the project, contact your regional project staff member or email IFM.info@dpi.nsw.gov.au 

Outcomes of Round One announced

Round One resulted in 32 successful applications from across the project region.

Successful irrigators have been working with DPI in the development of the funding deeds since they were notified of their success on Christmas Eve with most having now received the funding deeds.

The total value of the successful infrastructure projects is $16.1M with $12.1M being provided in funding and just as importantly $4M being contributed by the successful irrigators themselves.

The cost of the successful projects ranged from $51,000 to $2.1M with the average project cost being approximately $504,000.

There were 18 projects recommended in the Namoi/Peel Valleys at a value of $4.3M, 13 projects in the Macquarie Valley at a value of $7.7M and 1 project recommended for funding in the NSW Border Rivers area.

As well as this great result there has also been 50 Irrigated Farm Water Use Assessments (IFWUEA) approved with those irrigators currently being reimbursed 80% of the cost.

DPI will be developing a range of case studies in the next few months to demonstrate the types of projects that have been funded and the water savings that can be expected.

Rod Jackson, Project Leader says DPI is pleased with the outcomes of Round One.

“We were really pleased to receive such a high number of infrastructure applications.

“The high participation rate reflects the industry and community support for these types of water recovery programs.

“While not all projects got over the line we hope that unsuccessful irrigators from Round one will consider the feedback provided to them and submit a re-bid application in Round Two,” Mr Jackson said.

Examples of successful infrastructure projects

IN THIS SECTION

• Eligibility and incentives
  Eligibility criteria, project area maps, incentives available, case studies and testimonials.
• IFWUEAs and Approved Irrigation Consultants
  IFWUEA funding guidelines, how to submit an EOI, Example IFWUEA and forms.
• Training
  Training opportunities and course information.
• Useful resources
  General resources, irrigation management and evaluation resources, case studies, slide shows and videos.  
• Useful links
  Links to relevant programs and stakeholder websites.
• Update bulletins
• FAQs
• Contacts