Landholders who've had to cart water for their domestic use are now eligible for a water carting rebate.
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The NSW Government said the $1.5 million rebate program, announced today, will help landholders with their domestic water needs.
The one-off payment of $2000 will help cover the cost of water carting or to install water tanks, even for some areas where water has started to flow again.
The application process, they say, has been made "as simple as possible" to recognise the immediate need for affected landholders.
Water Planning Implementation's acting director Allan Raine said the rebate is part of the government's ongoing support for regional communities that continue to be impacted by drought.
We recognise these funds may be needed urgently for many of these landholders either to reimburse them for water already carted to their properties, or to plan for future domestic water security.
- ServiceNSW CEO Damon Rees
"While recent rain has brought welcome relief for some parts of NSW, dry conditions continue for many others and around 90 percent of the state is still in drought," he said.
"Some regulated river systems have been particularly hard hit and many landholders on rely on continuous flows in these rivers to meet their domestic water needs."
For landholders with a river frontage or a Domestic and Stock Access licence who rely on those flows, water carting has become essential to maintaining water security.
While some flows have since returned, eligible landholders can still apply for the rebate to cover water carting costs they've already incurred.
Properties in the following locations are eligible to apply:
- Peel Regulated River Source (downstream of Dungowan Weir)
- Lower Namoi Regulated River Source (downstream of Keepit Dam)
- Upper Namoi Regulated River Source (between Manilla Weir and Keepit Dam)
- NSW Border Rivers Regulated River Source (downstream of Goondiwindi weir)
- Macquarie Regulated River Source (downstream of Warren Weir)
- Lower Darling Regulated River Source (downstream of Weir 32)
Properties on some creeks which receive replenishment flows from these regulated rivers will be also be eligible.
Applications are now open through the service NSW website.
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"We recognise these funds may be needed urgently for many of these landholders either to reimburse them for water already carted to their properties, or to plan for future domestic water security," ServiceNSW CEO Damon Rees said.
"That's why the application process has been made as simple as possible, using the ServiceNSW online portal.
"We've also made an effort to contact eligible landholders directly to encourage them to apply and will be processing payments within five days of applications being approved."
For more information visit service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.