Rick Mazza asks about WA's contribution to the federal on-farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme. The Minister responds that WA's existing $6.7 million investment demonstrates commitment despite unclear federal matching requirements.

AnsweredQoN 1293Legislative Council
Asked
12 November 2020
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

ON-FARM EMERGENCY WATER
INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE SCHEME
1293. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I
refer to an article in the Countryman of 5 November 2020 titled ''Farmers
left high and dry in rebates stand-off'' and to the federal government's
$50 million on-farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme being matched
dollar for dollar with state funding. What contribution will the state make in
order to access the dollar-for-dollar rebate scheme?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
I am sure the member has not put in an application for funding! The following
information has been provided by the Minister for Water.
The state has budgeted $6.7 million
for 2020–21 to support our response to ongoing water deficiencies. This
includes $3.85 million for carting of non-potable stock water and the provision
of new and upgraded community water supplies for farmers, as well as $2.85
million to enable carting of potable water to meet additional demand on town
water supplies from farmers accessing supplies for stock and spray water.
The
federal government has not been clear on any matching funding requirements and
announced the extension of the scheme after this government's
2020–21 budget had already been formulated. However, the McGowan
government considers its investment of $6.7 million in 2020–21 more
than demonstrates its commitment to supporting farmers impacted by climate
change and addresses any matching funding criteria. The state will immediately
recommence the processing of new and previously received applications once the
federal government allocates additional funding to Western Australia to extend
the existing scheme in 2020–21.

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