Off-farm Efficiency Grants Program

The Off-farm Efficiency Grants Program provides owners or operators of water delivery infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin funding to help achieve a sustainable future for the Murray-Darling Basin, its people, industries and the environment.

The Off-farm Efficiency Grants Program will run over three years from 2021-22 to 2023-24.

The objectives of the program are to:

• better prepare water delivery networks, irrigators and communities for the future
• provide economic stimulus to support regional communities
• achieve neutral to positive socio-economic outcomes which are supported by the community
• reduce water losses to increase the volume of available water for the environment, irrigation networks, irrigators and communities
• enhance the environmental outcomes that can be achieved by the Murray–Darling Basin Plan 2012:
  • by increasing the volume of Murray–Darling Basin water resources available for environmental use by up to 450 GL
  • by helping to ensure long term Murray–Darling Basin health and water quality for the environment, irrigators, towns and cities.

A socio-economic test applies under this program. You will need to work with your state government to undertake the test, including public consultation. Your relevant Basin state should supply the outcomes of your test, including their decision on whether or not your project passes the test, for you to submit as an attachment to your grant application. The outcomes of your socio-economic test will form part of your application assessment.