8th March 2007Queensland irrigators can now apply for up to $10,000 a year to offset the cost of paying for water they will never receive, according to AgForce water spokesperson Ian Burnett.
“AgForce lobbied hard to ensure this inequitable situation, where farmers were paying for something they were not receiving, was recognised by the State Government,” he said.
Mr Burnett said in many areas, irrigators had paid significant sums in Part A tariffs to retain their licences for better years, even though some had not received any water for the past four years.
“This rebate, announced in December and put into force this week, will provide some welcome relief,” he said.
“Irigators know they can retain their licences while at the same time the financial pressure is lightened,” he said.
Mr Burnett said irrigators who received less than 20pc of their announced allocation for the past three years were eligible for a 100pc rebate.
This falls to 75pc for three out of four years, 50pc for two out of four years and 25pc for one out of four years.
The rebate is capped at $10,000 a year on Part A water tariffs in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years.
* More information: QRAA website: www.qraa.qld.gov.au/productitem.jsp?product=634 or call them on 1800 623 946.
SOURCE: Queensland Country Life weekly rural news service, updated daily by FarmOnline.
