Summary of past investment in irrigation practices
The above programs cover a wide range of practices , targeting nutrient , irrigation , pesticides and sometimes sediment management . NQ Dry Tropics has collated the total project investment and the types of investment in water quality grants provided specifically to support irrigation practice changes between 2008 and 2018 through the Australian Government Reef Rescue , Reef Programme and Reef Trust . As shown in Figure 7.1 , approximately $ 6.4 million was allocated in grants supported by approximately $ 10 million of landholder contributions ( 60 per cent of the total project investment ). An additional $ 2.55 million was allocated to contract extension to support the grant program .
$ 20,000,000 $ 18,000,000 $ 16,000,000 $ 14,000,000 $ 12,000,000 $ 10,000,000 $ 8,000,000 $ 6,000,000 $ 4,000,000 $ 2,000,000
$ -
$ 10,052,998
$ 2,550,000
$ 6,396,114
Landholder Contribution Contract Extension Grant Amount
Figure 7.1 . Total project investment in irrigation practices through the various Australian Government funded Reef Programs , 2008-2018 .
Figure 7.2 shows the breakdown of the types of grants provided , including the $ 2.55 million for extension to support the development of property extension plans ( 28 per cent of the total ). The largest allocation ( 46 per cent in total ) was provided for recycle pits , either constructing new recycle pits and associated infrastructure (~$ 3 million , 34 per cent of the total ) or upgrading existing recycle pits and infrastructure ($ 1 million ). Other grants included installation of equipment to improve irrigation efficiency , installation of automation or scheduling equipment , and installation of trickle or drip irrigation systems – each allocated around 8-9 per cent of the total budget .
$ 10,000,000 |
Install soil moisture probes , tensiometers , water |
|
|
monitoring sensors |
|
$ 9,000,000
$ 8,000,000
|
$ 696,621
$ 768,108
|
Install trickle / drip irrigation system |
$ 7,000,000 $ 6,000,000 $ 5,000,000 $ 4,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 1,000,000
$ -
$ 839,376 $ 1,099,314
$ 2,550,000
$ 3,032,142
Install automation / scheduling equipment of flood irrigation system
Install infrastructure to improve irrigation efficiency- variable speed drive , pump , pipeline etc Upgrade existing recycle pits and associated infrastructure
Property extension plans
Construct new recycle pits and associated infrastructure
Figure 7.2 . Types of grants / Extension in irrigation practices through the various Australian Government Reef Programs , 2008-2018 .
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