What is Net Recharge Management?

Net Recharge Management (NRM) is the purposeful implementation of various on-farm and/or regional activities (management), to limit the overall (net) amount of water added to the water-table (recharge).

How would Net Recharge Management benefit my farm?

NRM benefits a farm by:

·        lowering the depth of the local water-table

·        reducing the likelihood of waterlogging and soil salinisation

·        reducing water use and increasing water use efficiency, thereby maximising yield per ML

·        maintaining current rice allowable area through rice area offsets

·        assisting in crop type and placement

·        estimating relative net income through the Swagman Farm model

What funding assistance is available?

An incentive of 80% up to a maximum of $5,000 per farm is available for activities that are designed to achieve a net reduction in recharge to the water-table.

The number of incentives available is limited.

What activities are eligible for this incentive?

The following activities have been approved for this incentive:

·        planting, protecting and/or enhancing existing or new areas of local native vegetation, including fencing

·        Old Man Saltbush plantations in shallow water-table areas, or other salt tolerant species (these need not be local native species if local native species are unlikely to survive)

·        clay lining of leaking irrigation supply and drainage channels

·        replacement or substitution of irrigation supply channels with alternative seepage-reduction infrastructure

Other activities may be considered if the landholder is able to demonstrate a likely net reduction in recharge.  However this incentive will not be available for crop water use monitoring equipment, test well installation or for shallow groundwater pumping, nor for the planting of annual species, perennial pasture seed or agro-forestry plantations.

What are the requirements?

• completion/commencement of EM 31 surveying.
• signing of “Site Management Agreement”.
• Landholders who wish to claim the net recharge incentive will be required to have a WFP completed within 2 years. Failure to do so will result in the incentive amount that was received appearing as a debt on the landholder’s account, and interest will be charged at the company rate.

How do I apply for funding?

• Complete the Application Form (see below).
• Retain copies of all receipts and documentation relating to purchases and works carried out.
• Upfront payments may be made to the landholder with an agreement from that landholder that the activities will be completed within 2 years. If the works are not completed within the due period, the incentive amount will be refunded to CICL, and interest will be charged at the company rate.

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