News

Small Block Irrigator Exit Grant will be a good outcome for many irrigators wishing to leave farming

18th February 2009

The program is extremely complex, involving two government agencies; Centrelink for claim asessments, the Department of Environment and Water, Heritage and the Arts for water sales offers and proceedures and the local water authorities for consent and payment of water supply termination fees and lenders where they hold security over water entitlements.
However the small block exit program does give a feasible option for those irrigators who have 'had enough' and wish to exit their industry and/or retire from farming with some dignity and preserve their shrinking equity.
The assets tests are very generous compared to other exit or re-establishment grant programs.
However the 'clock is ticking' on key dates; of offering the water entitlements to the government by the 30th April 2009 AND at the same time applying to Centrelink for a pre-assessment of eligibity before the 30th June 2009.
The Service's Rural Financial Counselllors have conducted some 40 interviews and on the information provided most intending applicants may qualify for the grant payment.
Any intending applicant is encouraged to contact the Service as soon as possible for an appointment.
Irrigators who may be have heard of the package are strongly encouraged to NOT listen to rumours and should NOT self assess their own circumstances, but should consult with the Service's Rural Financial Counsellors, who have the expertise and a good understanding of the package and the steps and information required to both apply to Centrelink and of the process of offering water to the government.
The package may not suit every irrigator, nor will it cure industry and market adjustment problems, but it may help those irrigators who are 'fed up' with uncertainty and are struggling with financial and farming viability.