Irrigation With A Plan

Incentives Program

Introduction

As part of the Jemalong Land and Water Management Plan (LWMP), financial assistance is available to landholders to assist in implementing the On-Farm Options component of the LWMP. This assistance is provided in the form of an Incentives Program which is designed to encourage the uptake of the On-Farm Options. These incentives are available for new works as well as works already completed since 1995, provided they comply with the appropriate guidelines outlined in this document. To be eligible for the Incentives Program, landholders must first complete an Irrigation Management Workshop.

Incentives are available for;

Farm Planning

• Irrigation and Drainage Management Plans
• Recycling Systems
• Pumps
• Storages
• Vegetation
• Tree Planting
• Fencing Remnant Vegetation

2. Irrigation Management Workshops

To be eligible for the above mentioned subsidies, landholders must have completed an Irrigation Management Workshop. These workshops are part of NSW Agricultures WaterWise on the Farm course.

2.1 Aim of the Workshops

The aim of these workshops is to;

• Assist the landholder to become a more efficient, profitable and sustainable land manager
• Promote the adoption of best irrigation management practices and technologies.

2.2 Content of the Workshops

The workshops will be conducted twice per year or as demand determines. They will be held over four half day sessions, with each session being dedicated to each of the following topics;

Assessing your soil and water resources

• Evaluating irrigation systems
• Scheduling and benchmarking
• Planning integrated irrigation improvements

The workshops will be flexible and adaptable to the needs and interests of the participants. They will be organised through Jemalong Irrigation and held at Jemalong Irrigation offices or on site as required. Participants will be provided with a take home manual containing notes from each session.

3. Works completed 1995 2000

July 1995 has been set as the start date of the LWMP. If any of the works that are eligible for a subsidy payment have been undertaken since July 1995, they may be entitled to a retrospective payment.

To be eligible for a retrospective payment, landholders must provide originals/copies of receipts/invoices for works undertaken which must be dated. An Implementation Officer will undertake a site inspection of the works.

If these works have been undertaken with funding assistance from other sources, eg Salt Action, they will not be eligible for a LWMP incentive, unless the LWMP subsidy is greater than the funding already received. In these cases, the landholder is eligible for a subsidy equal to the LWMP subsidy less the amount already received.

If works already undertaken do not meet LWMP criteria for that incentive, then works may need to be upgraded for them to be eligible for a LWMP subsidy.

4. Application Process

Landholder completes application form, (available from JIL office), signed and witnessed by Implementation Officer and lodges with JIL. (including any attachments)

• Implementation Officer assesses application and undertakes site inspection.
• Upon completion of works, landholder submits copy of plan/s and official invoice/receipts to JIL.
• Implementation Officer to complete inspection and final report for payment approval.
• In the case of retrospective payments steps 1,2 & 4 apply.

5. Conditions of Application

• Only shareholders of JIL are entitled to apply.
• Landholders (or authorised representative) must attend an Irrigation Management Workshop before being eligible for subsidies.
• Landholders should discuss their proposal with the Implementation Officer prior to submitting application.
• Application must be submitted prior to any planning or works being carried out, work should not commence until approval has been granted, unless special permission has been received or the application is for works completed between July 1995 and July 2000.
• Provided criteria are adhered to, applications will need to be approved by both the Implementation Officer and the General Manager.
• Any disagreement by the landholder arising from a decision by the Implementation Officer or the General Manager will be passed to the Implementation Committee for settlement. If a solution cannot be found then the landholder will have the option to appeal to the Jemalong Irrigation Board.
• Subsidies can only be paid on that part of the work which has been carried out after the application for the incentive has been approved. Any change to an approved design must be authorised by the Implementation Officer before work begins.
• Landholders must declare if they have received financial assistance from other sources and are also seeking LWMP subsidies, they will also be required to fill out the appropriate application form.
• Each holding has an allocation of money under the Incentives Program. If the landholder does not claim his full entitlement for a particular subsidy, then any remaining money may be used for use on other works.

6. Incentives Available

i. Irrigation and Drainage Management Plans

These guidelines are taken directly from NSW Agriculture IDMP Interim Guidelines, October 1999.

Definition

An Irrigation and Drainage Management Plan (IDMP) is like a owners manual for the irrigated farm enterprise, it describes the resources available, the management procedures needed to achieve best management practice, and the direction of future development.

Why prepare an IDMP ?

An IDMP is a tool to help the irrigator set and achieve production and performance targets. Information in the IDMP can be used to match soil and water resources with the irrigation system, crop requirements and management to achieve efficient water use and improved farm productivity. 

If an irrigation system needs upgrading or extension, then the IDMP will plan for implementing and managing the upgrade or extension work.

Specifications

The IDMP must show;

• 1. Property information and management goals
• 2. General infrastructure and topography
• 3. Natural resources
• 4. Current and future cropping proposals and their irrigation requirements
• 5. Existing irrigation infrastructure, including supply and drainage
• 6. Plans for action
• 7. Irrigation system development or upgrading, if any
• 8. Tests of soil texture
• 9. Property Management Plan

What assistance is available ?

Advisory

Assistance in preparation of an IDMP will be provided in the Irrigation Management Workshops. Other assistance is available from JIL Implementation Officers, NSW Agriculture Irrigation Officers and Irrigation Surveyors and Designers.

Financial

The government will provide a subsidy of 60% of the total cost of preparing an IDMP to a maximum of $3,000.

ii. Recycling Systems

Definition

A recycling system enables both tailwater and excess rainfall from irrigated land to be drained, collected, stored and reused immediately or at a later date.

Why install a recycling system ?

The Environment Protection Authority requires that the first 8mm of stormwater runoff from irrigated areas should be stored and reused.

A recycling system can allow for;

• The collection of tailwater which may contain nutrients or chemicals which should not leave the farm
• The collection of tailwater for reuse
• The collection of off allocation flows for use at a later date
• Assisting in the flexibility of the timing of irrigation
• Supplementing supply from the district outlet
• Irrigating previously uncommandable land
• The collection of rainfall runoff and reuse

Pump Specifications

An IDMP must be completed.

• A scale drawing of the pump site (plan and elevation view) showing detail of pump / motor set up, piping, trash screens and associated equipment.
• A pump curve showing head, flow, power consumption efficiency, net positive or available suction head or minimum submergence.
• Pump operating duties should be shown either as a system flow / head curve or as points on the curve.
• In the case of non electric powered pumps only diesel powered motors are considered suitable. A power curve and fuel consumption figures for the diesel engine must be included.
• Details of control and protection equipment.

Storage Specifications

An IDMP must be completed.

• Earthworks should be calculated by a recognised method and presented either as a computer printout showing cross section, long section and volume and or preferably as plotted long sections. Cross section elevations and flow depth should be plotted at each major slope change.
• Earthworks balances must be calculated and source of supply fill or disposal of cut shown.
• The area drained and the area recirculated to should be expressed as a percentage of the total farm area.
• Recommended that a suitable salinity meter be purchased to check water quality periodically.
• Landholder should also follow the guidelines in NSW Agriculture On-Farm Water Storages, Guidelines for siting, design, construction and management document.

What assistance is available ?

Advisory

Assistance in preparation of an IDMP will be provided in the Irrigation Management Workshops. Other assistance is available from JIL Implementation Officers, NSW Agriculture Irrigation Officers and Irrigation Surveyors and Designers.

Financial

The government will provide a subsidy of 60% of the total cost of a recycling pump to a maximum of $3,500.

The government will provide a subsidy of 60% of the total cost of a recycling storage to a maximum of $8,500.

iii. Tree Planting

Why plant trees ?

Trees can be used on farms for many different purposes. The most important reason for developing a tree planting strategy is the role trees play in watertable and salinity management. However there are several other advantages to the planting of trees. These include;

• Protection from the weather for stock, crops and pastures
• Erosion Control
• Aesthetic value
• Habitat for wildlife
• Woodlots for commercial timber and firewood production
• Extra fodder for livestock

Specifications

1. Areas must coincide with the LWMP Vegetation Plan.2. A minimum of 5 rows with 5m spacing between rows.
2. Direct seeding, speedling or tube stock is all suitable.
3. Only native species to be used.
4. Fencing type must be consistent with plan guidelines.
5. Ground preparation to include weed control, deep ripping.
6. Landholder should also follow the guidelines in the Mid Lachlan Regional Vegetation Management Plan document.

What assistance is available ?

Advisory

Assistance in preparation of a vegetation plan will be included in the Irrigation Management Workshops. Other assistance is available from Implementation Officers and Greening Australia.

Financial

$1000 per hectare of trees fenced or $2 per metre, whichever is less. Funding per landholder is capped at $13 per hectare of holding. See Vegetation Strategy Guidelines for Funding

iv. Fencing Remnant Vegetation

Definition

Remnant vegetation is considered as any vegetation that is left over after clearing has taken place.

Why fence remnant trees ?

Fencing remnant vegetation will allow for the rehabilitation of native vegetation through regeneration which will result in;

• Improvements in wildlife habitat for birds, predatory insects and other native fauna that control insect pests
• A sustainable timber resource
• Emergency stock fodder
• Sources of native plant seed for revegetation projects as well as commercial sale
• Improving aesthetic value of the landscape

Specifications

• Areas to be fenced should either be identified by Cunninghams 1998, Remnant Vegetation Survey or be part of the LWMP Vegetation Plan.
• Preferable to fence clumps of trees rather than scattered tree and/or shrub cover.
• Fencing type must be ringlock with one top barb wire strand.
• The size of the retained area must be as large as possible.
• The fenced area should extend beyond the vegetation canopy.
• Must be monitored for potential problems such as weeds, feral animals and lack of natural regeneration.

What assistance is available ?

Advisory

Assistance in preparation of a vegetation plan will be included in the Irrigation Management Workshops. Other assistance is available from Implementation Officers and Greening Australia.

Financial

$1000 per hectare of trees fenced or $2 per metre, whichever is less. Funding per landholder is capped at $13 per hectare of holding. See Vegetation Strategy Guidelines for Funding