Healthy HeadWaters Water Use Efficiency project—infrastructure funding
Eligible Queensland Murray–Darling Basin (QMDB) irrigators can invest in more efficient irrigation systems and water saving technologies with assistance from the Healthy HeadWaters Water Use Efficiency (HHWUE) project.
The HHWUE project is delivered by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) with funding from the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative.
Three rounds of the infrastructure funding program were run between 2010 and 2012. Twenty-five projects were approved under these rounds, of which 18 are currently complete, in construction or under contract negotiation. These 18 projects represent a total of 18 GL of water savings and government funding to irrigators of $34 million.
Two funding rounds are open for expressions of interest in 2013. Timeframes are listed below:
Round four
Expressions of interest close: 5 April 2013
Proposals accepted: 22 April – 6 May 2013
Round five
Expressions of interest close: 23 August 2013
Proposals accepted: 9 – 23 September 2013
Completed expression of interest forms and attachments must be received by 5.00pm AEST on the applicable closing date by mail, email, fax or in person.
The program
The HHWUE project will provide an agreed amount up to 90 per cent of the total cost for an eligible irrigator to undertake on-farm infrastructure projects to increase water use efficiency.
The funded infrastructure must relate broadly to water storages, water distribution or in-field systems.
In return for the government funding, irrigators must transfer at least 50 per cent of the water savings by permanent trade of water allocation to the Australian Government for environmental use.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for funding, an irrigator must:
- hold a tradeable surface water allocation in the QMDB that is used for irrigated agriculture
- have the ability to permanently trade at least 10 megalitres as an unencumbered water allocation.
Each funding round will focus on certain water products and locations. Rounds four and five are open to irrigators located in:
- Condamine and Balonne—Lower Balonne Water Management area (zones 1-10) and St George Water Supply Scheme (zones 1-4)
- Border Rivers—Border Rivers Water Management area (Dumaresq, Macintyre and Barwon zones), Lower Weir Water Management area and Border Rivers Water Supply Scheme (zones A-B)
- Moonie (zones A-D).
Please refer to the request for expressions of interest (Word, 1.5M)‡ and addenda (PDF, 55K)* for a full list of eligibility criteria and other program information.
Pre-lodgement information
Prior to completing an application, irrigators are encouraged to submit a pre-lodgement information request (PDF, 800K)* to DNRM. In response to this request, DNRM will provide information to help irrigators develop their expressions of interest for the program. Irrigators from eligible zones in the QMDB may request the following information:
- confirmation of eligibility for current round
- copies of titles for water allocations
- hydrological modelling data (Condamine and Balonne allocations only)
- characteristics of water allocation under a multiyear account (Condamine and Balonne allocations only)
- water management and trading advice
- project plan advice and development assistance.
Pre-lodgement information requests are not a prerequisite to applying for funding. The submission of this form and DNRM’s response do not favour or prejudice a subsequent application to the HHWUE project.
How to apply
Interested irrigators can download the application pack, which includes the pre-lodgement information request form and request for expressions of interest, using the links below.
Since these documents have changed since the last round, applicants who have already obtained an application pack should ensure they have the current versions of all material.
Once the expressions of interest close, the department will perform administrative checks on received expressions of interest to ensure they are complete and eligible. DNRM may then provide applicants a Request for Proposal and invite them to submit completed forms by 6 May 2013 for round four and 23 September 2013 for round five. The expression of interest, proposal and all attachments constitute a complete application.
Applications are assessed by the Queensland and Australian governments on value for money, environmental value, technical feasibility and project governance criteria.
The following documents are current for rounds four and five of the HHWUE infrastructure project. To request a hard copy or further information, contact the HHWUE project team on telephone (07) 4529 1321 or email hhwue@dnrm.qld.gov.au.
Funding for irrigation infrastructure brochure (PDF, 429K)*
Pre-lodgement information request form (PDF, 800K)*
Request for expressions of interest (Word, 1.5M)‡
Addenda to request for expressions of interest (PDF, 55K)*
Extended budget table (Excel, 124K)‡
Contracts
Irrigators whose applications are approved for funding will be required to enter into contracts with the Queensland and Australian governments.
A works agreement is first established between the irrigator, the Queensland Government and the legal holders of any applicable land and water (if not the irrigator). The works agreement sets the terms for the completion of the works, including milestones and payments.
A water entitlement transfer deed (WETD) is then established between the water allocation holder and the Australian Government to transfer the agreed share of the water savings to be achieved by the works to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
DNRM is not a party to the WETD, however the works agreement and payment for works cannot proceed until the WETD is completed and the water is transferred.
The following example works agreement and WETD are provided as an indication. Actual agreements may vary.
Sample works agreement (PDF, 260K)*
Sample water entitlement transfer deed (PDF, 281K)* Please note that this blank WETD is provided for information purposes and is an example only. WETDs are subject to amendments by the Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities before a final version is issued.
* Requires Adobe Reader
‡ Requires Microsoft Office files viewer
Last updated 1 May 2013
