GAB infrastructure co-funding ending soon
The Australian Government has made funding available for the installation and maintenance of wells and associated distribution networks. These funds are available on a cost sharing basis for landholders who are accessing water from the Great Artesian Basin.
Owners of wells completed within the Great Artesian Basin should act now to secure co-funding to improve GAB infrastructure from the Improving Great Artesian Basin Drought Resilience (IGABDR) program for eligible projects. The IGABDR program has been operating since 2019. Since then, nearly 34 projects have been completed, reducing uncontrolled flow of GAB water by more than 1790ML per year. That's equivalent to almost two Olympic sized swimming pools every day.
Limited funding is still available for the program, which will co-fund eligible GAB water supply infrastructure including:
- replacement of aging wells
- decommissioning of wells
- installation of water-tight distribution infrastructure
- replacement of aging water distribution infrastructure.
Funding submissions will close early in 2023 and all projects must be completed by early 2024. Landholders are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest now to secure funding before the project becomes fully allocated and submissions close. It is important to recognise that an EOI does not bind the applicant and enables the project to be reviewed for eligibility and funding.
It can take time to secure contractors for well repairs or installation of water infrastructure, so it's important to act now to ensure project completion before the end of the program. It's also important to note that failure to use the allocated funding may result in less funding availability for future projects.
Read more information about the program, or contact Aaron Smith on 0417 643 956 or at aaron.smith3@sa.gov.au.