News

High interest in the Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant. Irrigators interested in the package should call 1800 050 015 to register.

28th January 2009

To date the Service has recorded 99 expressions of interest from Victorian and NSW irrigators in applying for the new irrigator exit grant first announced in September 2008.
However Victorian irrigators are not yet eligible to apply as agreement between both the state government and the Australian Government is yet to be finalised. Graeme Loison, Executive Officer, said time is ticking away as water must be offered to the Australian Government through a tender process by the 30th April 2009, and if the offer is accepted, formal applications to Centrelink must be made before the 30th June 2009. Irrigators interested in the package should be extremely cautious of selling any water entitlements into the general market to try and maximise a price, as this will breech eligibility criteria that all water held at the 30th September 2008 must be sold to the Australian Government.

It is a condition of the exit grant that all permenent plantings and above ground infrastructure, including irrigation systems must be removed and it is noted that should the land be sold, water cannot be returned for irrigation, until 5 years has lapsed since an exit payment, irrespective that it may be a new owner.