Water-Sensitive Farm Design
Water-sensitive farm design is about improving the management of any farmland that holds or carries water, or land that impacts on these areas. The aim is to reduce the amount of soil and sediment entering our waterways.
Melbourne Water can help with managing water-sensitive areas of farmland and reducing the sediments and nutrients that enter waterways. If you are a landholder and are interested in improving water quality runoff from your property, you may be able to apply for up to $40,000.
Who can apply?
You can apply to this pilot program if you own or manage rural land in these catchments:
- Woori Yallock
- Upper Bass
- Upper Lang Lang
We will give preference to landholders who have already shown a commitment to protecting water-sensitive areas on their properties, through activities such as stock exclusion and revegetation.
We will also give preference to those who have demonstrated property management planning principles. This may include planning and management for the whole farm, or more specifically:
- native vegetation
- nutrients
- farm tracks
- erosion
- irrigation scheduling
- water
What happens after the application?
Melbourne Water and the Department of Primary Industries will visit your property to discuss projects with you and your eligibility for funding.
Works we fund
Melbourne Water will pay up to 50% of the cost, including labour and materials, of a broad range of activities designed to improve the quality of the water leaving rural properties.
These works and materials might include:
- fencing off and managing streams, drainage lines and other water-sensitive areas
- sediment and nutrient retention systems
- managing native vegetation and grass filter systems in riparian areas and drainage lines
- establishing shade and shelter for livestock away from water-sensitive areas
- farm track construction, improvement and drainage
- erosion stabilisation and protection
Assistance and funding is also available for:
- developing farm plans including nutrient management, water budgeting and irrigation scheduling
- technical advice
- educational needs (such as chemical use certification, best management practice for cultivation or understanding the physical, biological and chemical properties of your soil)
How to apply
You can get more information or express your interest in the program by completing this form.
Apply for the Water-sensitive Farm Design Program