Purpose

The Pastoral Water Enhancement Scheme will enhance land and water resource management on pastoral properties by encouraging sound planning of stock watering facilities through the provision of technical advice and financial support. Assistance measures will enable the development of new waters supplies and water storage facilities through reticulation or capacity upgrades.

The NT Pastoral Water Enhancement Scheme (the Scheme) is administered by the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (DRDPIFR) with technical support from the Natural Resource Management Division of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (DNRETAS).

Support available under the Scheme

The Scheme provides for assessment and advice to pastoralists from land and water staff on the best means of providing water facilities to meet their stock requirements. Advice can be provided on the potential for locating water supplies, suggest sources for piped supply, selection of bore sites or advice on siting and/or construction of stock dams. Basic information and advice can be provided at no charge to the applicant.

Financial support is available in the form of a grant, on a dollar for dollar basis up to $10,000 per property to assist in the financing of new bores or stock water improvements.

This is subject to satisfactory completion of the work, at which time all relevant invoices should be lodged with DRDPIFR and an inspection of the completed project shall be undertaken (note, all receipts must be dated after the approval is granted). Applicants have six months from the date of approval to lodge their paperwork.

General Conditions

The provisions of The Scheme do not apply to:

• Water developments for irrigation purposes;
• Fencing; and
• Maintenance of works and equipment (this includes tanks, troughs, pumps and other equipment replacing existing unserviceable items).

It should be noted that only Northern Territory licensed drilling contractors may be engaged for water drilling works in the Northern Territory.
In areas where there is clear evidence that groundwater supplies are negligible, the application will not be approved (advice should be sought prior to drilling).

Eligibility for the Pastoral Water Enhancement Scheme

Commercial livestock producers on pastoral leases within the Northern Territory are eligible to apply for assistance under the Scheme.

Public companies and those with foreign ownership are not eligible for financial support. Similarly, property owners unable to demonstrate a direct dependence on a livestock enterprise as the principal source of income are ineligible to apply.

Details of the proposal must be completed on the Application Form, including the establishment and/or enhancement of watering points at locations which would effect better water and land and stock management on the property.

It is recommended that the application is part of an overall plan for development and management of the property or the area to which the application refers.

Once eligibility of the application has been established, a technical assessment of land and water aspects is undertaken. This assessment verifies the merit of the proposal and provides feedback to the applicant on technical issues. You will be notified of the result, at which time you may proceed.

The Application

In order to undertake assessment of an application for financial support, the following details are required.

• Full description of the proposed development including location, equipment and cost estimates. (A property map showing what is proposed, including yards, traps, fences and any other information relevant to the application. Maps are available from your regional DNRETAS office).
• Two years cash flow and herd projections, incorporating the effects of the proposed development (more information is available from your regional DRDPIFR office).
• Details of how the proposed developments are to be financed.

The Application Forms are self-explanatory. They are available on request from the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources or the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport. Advisory and Extension Officers can assist should you require help.

Jointly administered by:

• Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources
• Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport 

Further Information

For application forms, financial details and lodging of applications please contact.

Michelle Uniacke
Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources

GPO Box 3000
DARWIN NT 0801
Ph: (08) 8999 2077
Fax: (08) 8999 2010

Download a PDF version of the factsheet here