Gnangara horticulture water use efficiency voucher program
The Western Australian Government has made a total of $100,000 available for eligible commercial Western Australian horticultural businesses to seek expert advice and planning from professional irrigation consultants.
The purpose of the Gnangara horticulture water use efficiency voucher program (the Voucher Program) is to assist eligible commercial horticultural businesses to obtain written expert advice to develop a plan to implement water use efficiency measures on their property. Assistance is provided by way of a voucher that can be used to engage a professional irrigation consultant.
Local growers in the defined area can access vouchers of up to $5,000 to engage qualified irrigation professionals to audit their properties, design efficient irrigation systems, and provide written advice on technologies, soil amendments and cropping strategies to improve water use efficiency within their enterprise.
The Voucher Program will close on 30 June 2024 or when funds are fully committed. Applications will be assessed in the order they are submitted.
To help decide whether you are eligible to apply for funds under this Program, you should be able to answer yes to the following question:
- I am a commercial producer with a water licence and a right to take and use water for an established horticultural business that is being conducted on land in Carabooda, Neerabup, Nowergup, Bandy Spring, Carramar, Cockman Bluff, East Swan, Lake Mungala, Neaves, North Swan, Pinjar, Radar, Reserve, South Swan, Swan Valley, Wanneroo Wellfield or Yanchep, Western Australia (see attached map for eligibility areas)
To receive a rebate under the Voucher Program you must demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria (see page 5 of the Horticulture Water Use Efficiency Voucher Program Guidelines 2023 document attached to this page.)
Objectives of the Voucher Program
The objective of the Voucher Program is to deliver productivity benefits by increasing water use efficiency, by eligible horticultural businesses obtaining written advice on any or all of the following technologies including:
- Modifications to irrigation systems that increase the application of water uniformity;
- Changing from sprinkler to drip irrigation;
- Purchase and implementation of soil and/or crop sensor technology; crop monitoring equipment and annual data hosting fees;
- Installation of protected cropping options, which may include greenhouses, glasshouses, shade houses, windbreaks, or permanent netting;
- Developing soil amelioration plans and options to improve soil health.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply, you will need to demonstrate you:
- Own, share farm or lease property that you use for horticultural production in the eligible area and identified for a 10 per cent groundwater reduction from 2020 under the Gnangara Groundwater Allocation Plan;
- Conduct the majority of your primary production business in Western Australia;
- Operate as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company;
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and are registered for GST; and,
- Are a commercial primary production business (as defined in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997).
How to apply
Your application will need to be submitted online via the DPIRD SmartyGrants platform. Applications are open.
As funds are limited, applications will be assessed in the order they are submitted.
If additional information is required to assess your application, the Department will contact you by email or phone to confirm/request what is required. Applicants will need to provide requested information within five (5) business days.
Failure to provide requested information within five (5) business days may result in the application being declined.
By submitting an application, you are providing your agreement that should DPIRD request to visit your business for audit purposes to inspect the irrigation infrastructure, you will allow them full access to the property and any relevant information required.
A list of approved irrigation specialists as recommended by Irrigation Australia can be found attached to this page.
For all enquiries relating to the Program contact gnangaragrants@dpird.wa.gov.au
