State Budget gives drought-affected irrigators a helping hand

Strictly embargoed until 2.30pm

June 5, 2007

Queensland’s drought-ravaged irrigators will be given a helping hand after the Beattie Government allocated an extra $2.5 million in the State Budget, bringing the total to $10 million for rebates on fixed water charges.

Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Beattie Government announced earlier this year that eligible irrigators in drought affected areas can receive rebates of up to $10,000 a year on their fixed water charges.

The State Budget delivers funding for this scheme.

“Irrigators are doing it extremely tough as the worst drought on record continues to bite,’’ Mr Wallace said.

“The Irrigators Fixed Water Charges Rebate Scheme provides rebates in areas where there is low, or has been low, water availability due to the prolonged drought,” he said.

“A rebate can be sought for paid invoices incurred from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008.’’

To be eligible, irrigators must be a customer of a water service provider, such as SunWater, or a water licence holder of the Department of Natural Resources and Water.

Irrigators must also be paying fixed water charges and meet the 20 per cent or less low water availability threshold and have paid their water charges invoices from 1 July 2006.

Mr Wallace said the rebate would be calculated on the period of time irrigators have received a 20% or less announced allocation.

“In some cases, eligible irrigators can receive a rebate of 100 per cent of the fixed water charges due to the lack of water available in the current bill period, and the previous three financial years,” he said.

To receive the rebate, irrigators must apply through QRAA and have paid their water charges invoice.

Where irrigators are suffering financial hardship and are unable to pay their water charges upfront, the rebate for the fixed water charges portion of the bill will be made payable to the water service provider or Department of Natural Resources and Water with the irrigator paying the balance.

More information and application details are available on QRAA's website www.qraa.qld.gov.au or by freecall 1800 623 946.

Media enquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 3896 3689