Primary producers to access new dam desilting rebate

Rebate is available for property owners, share-farmers or lessees in the grazing industry.

APPLY NOW: Primary producers could be eligible for a dam desilting rebate. Picture: Bev Lacey

A NEW dam desilting rebate is now available for Queensland primary producers.

Producers can receive up to 25 per cent of the cost to desilt their dam, up to $25,000 per property identification code, per financial year.

The rebate is funded by the Australian Government, and administrated by the Queensland Government.

It is compulsory for primary producers to obtain an endorsed Dam Desilting Statement before paying for dam desilting.

The statement provides the assurance the proposed desilting activity can be considered for the rebate and is within the typical range of costs for dam desilting.

Any producers who undertook dam desilting between July 1, 2018, and the start of the scheme, do not need to have an endorsed Dam Desilting Statement.

They must lodge a claim, including the statement and form, directly with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

To be eligible for the subsidy, primary producers must be property owners, share-farmers or lessees in the grazing industry and have their property within a state drought-declared area like the South Burnett, or hold a current Individually Droughted Property.

The producers must also primarily use the desilted dam for grazing livestock.

They must provide a statement that includes photos of the dam, a quote from a business to undertake the dam desilting activity and a property map.

The dam desilting must be completed within six months of the endorsement.

For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.