Drought Preparedness Grants

The grant aims to assist producers with the cost of implementing new permanent capital improvements and carrying out drought preparedness activities identified in their Farm Business Resilience Plan.

To be eligible for a Drought Preparedness Grant, applicants must:

• demonstrate at least one person in the primary production business meets the definition of a primary producer;
• demonstrate an ability to provide the remaining contribution to the grant requested;
• demonstrate that any necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained; and
• present a Farm Business Resilience Plan (as outlined in Section 6 of the guidelines), satisfactory to Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

To be eligible for a Drought Preparedness Grant, applicants must not have:

• made an application to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries supported by an invoice issued in the past six month period for assistance under:
  1. a freight subsidy under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme
  2. the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme; and
• previously received a Drought Preparedness Grant for the same project activity.

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for DPG support.

To be eligible for funding, the project will:

• involve the purchase and installation of new permanent capital infrastructure;
• improve the ability of the primary production business to prepare for; continue to operate in; or recover from, drought conditions;
• be a drought preparedness activity listed in your Farm Business Resilience Plan for the primary production business; and
• not have commenced the project before the assistance is approved. (Deposits however may be paid for the purchase of materials or engaging contractors up to 90 days before the application for assistance).

Funding may be used for new permanent capital infrastructure, including:

• pipes, water tanks and water troughs;
• dam construction and/or expansion;
• drilling a new working bore;
• water conservation infrastructure and equipment including more efficient irrigation;
• water pumps and power supply used to run water pumps;
• storage, mixing and feeding out equipment for grain, fodder, molasses and other supplements;
• grain storage and equipment that improves the ability of the business to manage drought;
• reasonable freight components to purchase and install equipment or infrastructure;
• consumables including fuel for own machinery used in relation to the drought preparedness project; and
• contractor costs or non-salaried employees’ costs directly associated with implementing the drought preparedness project.

Drought Preparedness Grants may not be used for the following activities:

• employee salary expenses;
• contractor costs not associated with the drought preparedness project;
• purchase of machinery and equipment to complete capital works;
• motor vehicles;
• dry hire for own machinery;
• own operator costs;
• replacement, repairs or maintenance of existing infrastructure or machinery;
• conducting feasibility studies;
• costs associated with drilling of dry bore or test bores; and
• repayments, refinancing or restructuring existing loan arrangements.

See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for DPG support.

Upon receiving applications, QRIDA will acknowledge receipt by email or post and advise if any further information is required to commence assessment of the application.

QRIDA will assess complete applications in order of receipt. Incomplete applications will not be assessed until all required information is received.

Approved applicants will receive a written grant offer from QRIDA. QRIDA may issue conditional approvals to applicants.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment process.

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
• Provide complete information requirements

Prepare the following information:

• Complete an application form, Farm Business Resilience Plan and statement of position which are located on QRIDA’s website. Instructions for completion are included in these forms.
• Provide quotes associated with costs for new permanent capital infrastructure. (These quotes should reflect current market prices for goods and services being purchased. QRIDA may request further quotations be provided to substantiate requests).

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications and supporting documents are submitted to Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) by post, email or fax.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.