G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
9 October  2019 
(19-6564) Page: 1/18 
Committee on Agriculture  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION  
The following submission, dated  4 October  2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia . The notification concerns new or modified domestic support measures 
exempt from reduction ( Table DS:2 ). 
 
_______________  
 
 
  
 
 G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Maintain Tasmania 's Fruit Fly Pest Free Area Status.  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
N/A. 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITERIA:  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2( b) 
regarding pest and disease control.  
Eradication of the January 2018 incursion of Queensland Fruit Fly in northern Tasmania.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 12 million over the life of the measure.  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
January 2018.  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
January 2018 to March 2019.  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 3 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE: 
Agriculture Program, Bureau of Meteorology  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
Meteorology Act 1955  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The Agriculture Program was established by the Bureau of Meteorology in July 2017.  
Its role is to create impact and value for the Agriculture Sector —AUD 300 m illion over the period 
2019-2023.  
The Agriculture Program will achieve this via three main routes: i) curating existing data sets so 
that they better meet customer needs (e.g. "you  need this information, I"ll get it for you and help 
you to understand how to use it"); ii) enabling existing and new players in the agricultural value 
chain to improve the value of their products and services (e.g. working with the insurance sector 
to ena ble it to more efficiently price risk and so offer more cost -effective insurance products); iii) 
consulting services (e.g. highly spatially and temporally resolved frost forecast services for wine 
grape growers).  
While the Bureau is currently covering the  cost of the Program e staff, it aspires to recover those 
costs by charging the full cost of service delivery to customers.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(d) 
regarding extension and advisory services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 1.5 million in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
July 2017  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
Ongoing  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 4 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Sustainable Irrigation Futures Initia tive 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The Sustainable Irrigation Futures Initiative does not sit under specific  legislation.  
The project however supports the delivery of a number of actions in the Victorian Government’s 
Water for Victoria  plan, which ou tlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management if 
Victorian water resources. Specific actions that the Sustainable Irrigation Futures Initiative 
contributes to are:  
• Action 4.3: Help irrigation districts adapt  
• Action 4.4: Reduce barriers to change and support communities in irrigation districts  
• Action 4.6: Manage salinity, waterlogging and water quality  
• Action 4.7: Manage irrigation development  
• Action 4.8: Improve salinity management in the Mallee.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITERI A: 
The Sustainable Irrigation Futures Initiative aims to reduce adverse impacts of irrigation (in 
targeted regions across the State) on the environment and third parties, whilst improving water 
use efficiency and best practice land mana gement for environmental and productive outcomes.  
The program me also manages salinity to protect the rivers, catchments and environment of the 
Murray -Darling Basin. The Victorian Government is investing AUD 59.5 million between 2016 -17 
and 2019 -20 in the p rogram me to implement a range of activities including: whole farm planning 
incentives, Plan2Farm decision support tool, specialist farm extension advice to irrigators, grants 
for improved farm irrigation infrastructure, best practice guidelines for new irr igation 
developments, construction of irrigation drainage infrastructure, ongoing salinity management and 
monitoring and strategic reviews.  
More information can be found at https://www.water.vic.gov.au/water -foragriculture/sustainable -
irrigation -program  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(d) 
regarding extension and advisory services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 59.5 million over four years  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
1 June 2016  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
1 June 2016 to 30 June 2020  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 5 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Export Partnership Program  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLATION  REFERENCE:  
N/A 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The Export Partnership Program (EPP) was launched on 5 March 2015 to replace the Gateway 
Business program and support more South Australian companies in pur suing international markets 
and development opportunities. This program me was provided by the former Department of State 
Development (DSD).  
EPP was available to eligible South Australian businesses. Businesses could lodge an online 
application to be assess ed by the panel. A successful applicant would be offered an EPP grant by 
the Minister for Investment and Trade.  
The grant was reimbursed ‘dollar for dollar’ up to a maximum of AUD 50,000 (ex -GST) for eligible 
activities subject to provision, within thirty days of each project completion, of a satisfactory 
project acquittal report verified by DSD with such evidence of expenses as DSD requires, and 
provision of a valid Tax Invoice, DSD paid the relevant portion of the Grant to reimbursing for 
eligible project  costs up to the maximum Grant amount The acquittal period for the grant covered 
a total of 18 months. 6 months of which is to cover eligible retrospective activities.  
The Export Partnership Program has been wound down, and its successor the SA Export 
Accelerator was launched in August 2018.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(f) 
regarding marketing and promotion services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 0.04 million on agriculture -specific projects over the life  of the measure  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
5 March 2015  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
5 March 2015 to 17 November 2017  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 6 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Interim Great Artesian Basin Infrastructure Investment Program  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
Payments to states for agreed projects are made through Treasury to Treasury payments under 
the Federal Financial Relations Act 2009  (FFR Act).  
Project agreements and supporting bilateral schedules were signed by the Commonwealth and 
Great Artesian Basin state water ministers to undertake the program me, agree to projects, and 
funding arrangements under the FFR Act 2009.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The program me will support the delivery of strategic investments in groundwater infrastructure 
renewal and related activities to advance the sustainable management of Great Artesian Basin 
groundwater resources.  
Activities eligible under the program me include the cappi ng of bores, piping of open channels and 
rehabilitation of aging bore infrastructure. Structural adjustment assistance to be provided through 
environmental program mes. 
The Program is delivered with the Commonwealth matching funds of participating states: 
Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 0.7 million in 2017/18.  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
19 December 2017  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
19 December 2017 to 30 June 2019  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 7 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:   
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District (BMID) Modernisation Project  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLATION REFERENC E: 
The BMID Modernisation Project does not sit under specific legislation.  
However, it is being delivered by Southern Rural Water (i.e., Gippsland and Southern Rural Water 
Corporation), which is a statutory authority under the Victorian Water Act  1989. 
The project also supports the delivery of a number of actions in the Victorian  Government’s Water 
for Victoria  plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management of 
Victorian water resources. Specific actions that the BMID Modernisation Project contributes to are:  
• Action 4.2: Invest in rural infrastructure  
• Action 4.5: Improve water delivery efficiency in irrigation districts  
• Action 4.6: Manage salinity, waterlogging and water quality.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The Victorian Government committed AUD 4.12 million to the AUD 12.4 million BMID 
Modernisation Project. The project will replace aged, dilapidated open channels with a 9.7 -
kilometre modern, automated pipeline system to reduce the loss of river water, primarily through 
avoided seepage. In addition to generating up to  1,100 megalitres in water savings, the project 
will enhance service levels to support on -farm productivity gains, improve liveability in Bacchus 
Marsh and improve river health and amenity. The project is being delivered by Southern Rural 
Water, with an es timated completion date of May 2021.  
This project is currently two thirds funded with equal contributions from the Victorian Government 
and Southern Rural Water. With this funding only 4 of the 5 stages of modernisation can be 
completed by late 2019. The r emaining AUD 4.12 million will fund the decommissioning of 
redundant open channel infrastructure, which runs directly through Bacchus Marsh creating a 
physical barrier to movement across the township. Southern Rural Water has had preliminary 
discussions wi th Moorabool Shire Council, identifying an opportunity to use the existing easement 
and land as a pedestrian and cyclist transport network within Bacchus Marsh, improving 
community liveability and alleviating traffic congestion.  
More information can be fou nd at http://www.srw.com.au/projects/bmid -modernisation/ . 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 1.37 million in 2017/18.  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
The program me was announced on 28 April 2016, with the first milestone to complete planning 
and design on 30 May 2017.  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
With two -thirds of  the project funded, the period of application is 30 May 2017 to 30 December 
2019. Should the final third of funding become available, the period would be extended to 30 May 
2021.  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No speci fic products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 8 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Connections Project. This was previously known as the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal 
Project (NVIRP).  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The following legislation supports the Connections Project:  
− Victorian Water Act 1989 ; and  
− The Murray Darling Basin Plan which was signed into law in November 2012 under the 
Commonwealth Water Act 2007 . 
The Connections Project was originally supp orted by the previous Victorian Governments long term 
plan for water “Our Water, Our Future” which included projects such as NVIRP in 2007.  
The Connections Project currently supports the delivery of actions in the Victorian Government’s 
“Water for Victoria ” plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management 
of Victorian water resources. Specific actions that the Connections Project contributes to are:  
• Action 4.2: Invest in rural infrastructure  
• Action 4.5: Improve water delivery efficiency in the irrigation district.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
In 2007 the Victorian State Government announced AUD 1.004 billion (Stage 1 funding) for Stage 
1 of NVIRP to upgrade the Goulburn Murray Irrigat ion District (GMID) irrigation system in Northern 
Victoria to recover up to 225 gigalitres of water lost each year, for farms, stressed rivers and 
urban households and businesses. In December 2008, the Stage 1 funding agreement was signed 
the NVIRP commenc ed. 
In October 2011, the Commonwealth Government contributed AUD 953 million and the Victorian 
State Government contributed AUD 106 million towards Stage 2 of the NVIRP Project, to further 
support the upgrade of the irrigation system in the GMID.  
In July 2 012 NVIRP was integrated into the Goulburn Murray Rural Water (GMW) Corporation and 
the NVIRP Project was renamed the GMW Connections Project.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructur al services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 192.68 million in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
Stage 1: October 2008; Stage 2: October 2011  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
December 2008 to October 2020  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT(S )): 
No specific products  
 G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 9 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
____________________________________________________ _______________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
East Grampians West Wimmera Feasibility Study  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The East Grampians West Wimmera Feasibility Study does not sit under specific legislation. 
However, it is being delivered by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation, which is a 
statutory authority under the Victorian Water Act 1989.  
The project also su pports the delivery of actions in the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria  
plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management of Victorian water 
resources. Specifically, the East Grampians West Wimmera Feasibility Study contr ibutes to Action 
4.1 (support regional development and change) under Water for Victoria .  
The project also aligns with Fisheries Victoria’s Target One Million plan, which is the Victorian 
Government’s plan for recreational fishing that aims to grow partici pation to one million anglers by 
2020.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The East Grampians West Wimmera Feasibility Study is investigating 3 sub -projects.  
Two sub -projects are a potential extension to the Wimmera Mallee Pipe line (WMP) to service the 
agricultural areas to the east of the Grampians and west of the Wimmera area. These pipeline 
extension projects are intended to enhance agricultural productivity with a more reliable water 
supply due to the connection to the WMP d elivery network.  
The third sub project is investigating a water savings project to replace an existing headworks 
channel with high water losses with a transfer pipeline. The construction of a syphon and 
associated 50 -100 km pipeline will save up to 2GL of  water per annum. Feasible sub projects will 
progress to a business case for capital funding consideration.  
The final business case for the East Grampians Water Supply Project (sub -project 1) was 
submitted to DELWP 26 September 2017. The preferred option would cost AUD 85.2 million. Over 
200 expressions of interest have been received to date. The Victorian Gover nment committed AUD 
32 million to the East Grampians Water Supply capital project as part of its 2018 -19 state budget 
and is now seeking matching Commonwealth funding of AUD 32 million to enable the AUD 85.2 
million project to be completed in full.  
The We st Wimmera (sub -project 2) Project Steering Committee members agreed to proceed the 
project to business case stage. The business case in final stages of development.  
The third sub project did not proceed to business case after the capital cost estimates w ere 
deemed to be in excess of the potential benefits.  
Further information can be found at the following links:  
https://www.gwmwater.org.au/our -water -supply/current -projects/east -grampianspipeline -
feasibility -study  and https://gwmwater.org.au/our -water -supply/current -projects/west -wimmera -
ruralpipeline  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 10 - 
 
  This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 50,000 in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
10 June 2016 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
10 June 2016 to late 2018  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 11 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) 2030 Modernisation Phase 1B  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The MID 2030 Modernisation Project Phase 1B does not sit under specific legislation. However, it is 
being delivered by Southern Rural Water (i.e., Gippsland and Southern Rural Water Corporatio n), 
which is a statutory authority under the Victorian Water Act 1989 . 
The project also supports the delivery of a number of actions in the Victorian Government’s Water 
for Victoria  plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the manageme nt of 
Victorian water resources. Specific actions that the MID Modernisation Project contributes to are:  
• Action 4.2: Invest in rural infrastructure  
• Action 4.5: Improve water delivery efficiency in irrigation districts.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE W ITH REFERENCE TO CRI TERIA:  
The AUD 60 million MID Phase 1B Modernisation Project has been funded equally between the 
Commonwealth Government, Victorian Government and Southern Rural Water.  
The project will convert 85 kilometres of ageing and inefficient c hannel infrastructure to 
approximately 38 kilometres of pipeline and 32 kilometres of automated channel. Construction is 
currently underway and is on track to be completed by 2021. The project will generate up to 9.7GL 
of water savings, which will be used to boost water security for irrigators in the region.  
The project will also connect approximately 170 customers.  
The water savings from this project will be provided back to irrigators and Southern Rural Water 
customers to boost regional agriculture prod uction and create 100 long -term jobs in the region.  
When complete, Phase 1B will:  
• save an additional 9,700 ML of water through reducing losses  
• enable more efficient on -farm irrigation, which further improves productivity across the district  
• reduce outfall to the drain systems, which will also mean fewer nutrients entering waterways 
and the Gippsland Lakes.  
The Phase 1B pipeline program me is being delivered in four stages. Stage 1 is complete. The 
Stage 2 pipeline in Tinamba will be delivered May -Aug 2018. Stage 4 in Mewburn Park is planned 
for May -August 2019 and Stage 3 Riverslea for 2020.  
A business case is currently underway for the MID Phase 2 Modernisation Project, funded by the 
Commonwealth through the NWIDF and Southern Rural Water, which will  cover the final phase of 
the MID2030 strategy to modernise the Macalister Irrigation District. Preliminary estimates are 
that the AUD 50-75 million project will yield 8 -10GL of water savings that could be used to 
increase water security for irrigators and /or contribute to environmental shortfalls in the Macalister 
River. The final business case will be submitted to the Victorian Government by December 2018.  
More information (including a factsheet) can be found at http://www.srw.com.au/projects/mid -
modernisation/mid -2030-phase -1b/ 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitmen ts consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 6.15 million in 2017/18  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 12 - 
 
  (5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
13 April 2017  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
13 April 2017 to 31 May 2021  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY  BENEFIT (IF ANY IND IVIDUAL PRODUCT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
____________________________________ _______________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Mitiamo Reticulated Water Supply Feasibility Study  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The Mitiamo Reticulated Water Supply Feasibility Study does not sit under specific legislation. 
However, it is being delivered by Goulburn -Murray Rural Water Corporation, which is a statutory 
authority under the Victorian Water Act 1989 . 
The project also supports the delivery of actions in the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria  
plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management of Victorian water 
resources. Specifically, the Mitiamo Reticulated Water Supply  Feasibility Study contributes to 
Action 4.1 (support regional development and change) under Water for Victoria . 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The Mitiamo Reticulated Water Supply Feasibility Study investigates the possibi lity to service a 
75,000 hectare area in the Mitiamo region of northern Victoria with a new pressurised pipeline 
supplying approximately 528 ML of secure stock and domestic water.  
The water volume made available through the pipelining creates scope for the  expansion and 
intensification of supply beyond current domestic and stock requirements and into local agricultural 
development opportunities. Goulburn -Murray Water submitted the final Business Case for Mitiamo 
in September 2017.  
Upon submission of the fin al business case, Commonwealth funding of AUD 14.5 million for the 
Mitiamo capital project was sought under the NWIDF - capital component, however the project did 
not secure funding. The Victorian Government has committed AUD 10.2 million to the project, w ith 
AUD 4.3 million to come from customer contributions.  
More information on the project can be found at the following link: 
https://www.gmwater.com.au/about/community/mitiamo -pipeline. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 170,000 in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
5 December 2016  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
5 Dece mber 2016 to May 2018  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
South West Loddon (SWL) Rural Water Supply Project  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The SWL Rural Water Supply Project does not sit under specific legislation. However, it is being 
delivered by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation, which is a statutory authority under 
the Victorian Water Act 1989.  
The project also support s the delivery of actions in the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria  
plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management of Victorian water 
resources. Specifically, the SWL Rural Water Supply Project contributes to Action 4.2  (Invest in 
rural infrastructure) under Water for Victoria . 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
The AUD 80.6 million South West Loddon Rural Water Supply Project will construct 1,300 
kilometres of stock and domestic pipelines to  service over 600 properties with around 780 
megalitres of water per year.  
Specifically, this project will augment existing urban water supplies for local towns, improve 
emergency water access by installing fire hydrants along the pipeline, allow water co rporations to 
optimise the use of their water entitlements held in the Wimmera -Glenelg and Goulburn systems, 
and expand the water grid by connecting the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline to the Waranga Western 
Channel.  
The project will be completed in 2019.  
The Vic torian Government committed AUD 40 million to the AUD 80.6 million project. Another AUD 
20.6 million will be provided by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and landholders. The 
Commonwealth has funded the remaining AUD 20 million under the NWIDF.  
More information can be found at https://www.gwmwater.org.au/our -water -
supply/currentprojects/south -west-loddon -pipeline -project . 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 20 million in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
1 July 2016  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
1 July 2016 to July 2019  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUP PORT: AUSTRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Werribee Irrigation District (WID) Modernisation Project  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The WID Modernisation Project does not sit under specific legislation.  
However, it is being delivered by Southern Rural Water (i.e., Gippsland and Southern Rural Water 
Corporation), which is a statutory authority under the Victorian Water Act 1989.  
The project also supports the delivery of a number of actions in the Victorian Government’s Water 
for Victoria  plan, which outlines the State’s long -term strategic plan for the management of 
Victorian water resources. Specific actions that the WID Modernisation Project contributes to are:  
• Action 4.2: Invest in rural infrastructure  
• Action 4.5: Improve water deliver y efficiency in irrigation districts  
• Action 4.6: Manage salinity, waterlogging and water quality.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
Victorian Government is investing AUD 10.44 million to modernise the WID.  
The project involves  converting 39 kilometres of ageing channel to pipeline, which is expected to 
generate 5 gigalitres of annual water savings for environmental and agricultural use.  
The total project cost is AUD 31.3 million, and is currently two -thirds funded with equal 
contributions from the Victorian Government and Southern Rural Water. With this funding only 3 of 
the 5 stages of modernisation can be completed by late 2019.  
Should the remaining AUD 10.44 million of funding be made available, the final two stages of 
construction will be completed, modernising the entire district by 2021 and realising the full 5GL of 
associated water savings.  
The project will also optimise water security for irrigators, decreasing their reliance on highly saline 
recycled water during dry conditions, which can impact long term crop and soil health.  
More information can be found at http://www.srw.com.au/projects/wid -modernisation/ . 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitm ents consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructural services.  
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 2 million in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
28 April 2016, construction started on 30 May 2017  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
30 May 2017 to 30 December 2019 with a possible extension to 30 December 2021 if the final 
third of funding become available.  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA   
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
ACT Rural Grants (ARG) 2017/18  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLATION  REFERENCE:  
Under the ACT Government’s National Landcare Program funding – 2014-2018 the ACT  
Government (administered by ACT NRM), was provided AUD 447,000 to run a grants program e for 
rural landholders to support a range of sustainable  agriculture on -farm, on -ground works. The 
grant funding was offered in three main tranches in 2014/16, 2015/16 and 2016/17.  
A final tranche of funding – AUD 99,304 – was made available in 2017/18 under this program me – 
to finalise expenditure under the program me. This was not offered as a competitive grants 
program me as there was not sufficient time for landholders to implement works, following a 
competitive application process. Instead this remaining unexpended fundi ng under the ACT Rural 
Grants program me supported a number of collaborative onground programs to achieve sustainable 
agriculture outcomes under the National Landcare Program.  
There is no specific legislation that supports this measure. The basis of the AC T Government 
authority to provide this support is through a Commonwealth Government appropriation to support 
the National Landcare Program.  
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
Under the 2017/18 ARG, any activities funded under t he ACT Rural Grants Program needed to 
meet the following criteria:  
• improve groundcover, vegetation, soil health and/or water quality;  
• minimise off -site impacts of farming activities;  
• protect biodiversity;  
• demonstrate coordinated regional or landscape -scale partnerships to address priority issues, 
including weed and pest animal issues; and  
• prepare for climate variability and climate change.  
The following collaborative sustainable agriculture projects were supported under the 2017/18 ACT 
Rural Grants program me:  
ACT Legumes Project – 16 landholders were supported through soil and pasture legume testing 
across 33 paddocks to determine if pasture legumes were healthy or were constrained by soil 
acidity and other issues. This project focussed on me eting soil health targets  Southern ACT Feral 
Pig Project – engaged nearly 20 landholders in southern ACT in a collaborative feral pig control 
program me. The ACT Rural Grants program me contributed to the trapping and monitoring 
activities and supported land scape -scale partnerships to address pest animal issues.  
North ACT Collaborative Calicivirus project – 14 landholders spread the latest strain of the RHDV 
Calicivirus on their properties. ACT Rural Grants funding supported the purchase of carrots and of 
the calicivirus. This project also supported landscape -scale partnerships to address pest animal 
issues.  
Installation of an ACT Soil Moisture Probe in Tidbinbilla Valley to promote better land management 
and groundcover – this soil moisture probe joins the South East Local Land Services network of 
soil moisture probes and also addresses improved groundcover management.  
Establishment of an Equicultural Demonstration Site on a horse agistment property in the ACT 
(changing fencing, shade, feed areas) which tak e account of horse behaviour to reduce erosion, 
improve pasture biomass and composition and reduce biosecurity risks. This demonstration site G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 17 - 
 
  addressed . Finalisation of contracts and payment of three ACT Rural Grants which had been 
approved under the 2016/ 17 ACT Rural Grants program me.  
These grants were: o Trialling rabbit control (wire fencing and other measures) around heritage 
listed farm infrastructure to manage rabbit populations and reduce rabbit harbour.  
Fencing to protect a riparian area on a farm  in the Majura Valley.  
Introduction of a rotational grazing system for a property in the Kambah district. As noted above, 
under the 2017/18 ACT Rural Grants project, AUD 99,304 was dispersed to fund three rural 
grants; four separate collaborative land management projects which engaged a number of 
landholders each; and one demonstration site. Note the ARG Guidelines and Application Form for 
the 2016/17 grant round (there wa s not a formal grant round in 2017/18 – so there are no 
guidelines available for this financial year).  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 12 
regarding payments for environmental program mes. 
(4) COST OF MEA SURE:  
AUD 99,304 in 2017/18  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
1 July 2017  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  G/AG/N/AUS/130  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
___________________________________________________________________________  
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Welcome/ Montagu Riverworks  
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
N/A 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
Provision of funding to develop practical on -ground flood  mitigation measures for the Welcome and 
Montagu riverworks districts in Northwest Tasmania.  
This included allocating AUD 75,000 for relevant environmental studies and AUD 100,000 for 
onground riverworks in the Welcome River Riverworks District and AUD 75,000 for relevant 
environmental studies and AUD 100,000 for on -ground riverworks in the Montagu River 
Improvement Scheme.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 12 
regarding payments for environmental program mes. 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
AUD 350,000  
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
April 2018  
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
February 2018 to 30 June 2019  
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  
 
__________