The Water Smart Farms Initiative is a continuation of an existing Initiative. It is a $10 million initiative funded over 4 years and began in 2007/08. The Initiative will contribute to Growing Victoria Together’s vision for :

• Protecting the environment for future generations; and
• Efficient use of natural resources.

It will also contribute to various other targets identified in the Basin Salinity Management Strategy, Victoria’s River Health Strategy and Victoria’s Salinity Management Framework.

The Water Smart Farms Initiative (WSFI) has 2 objectives that will deliver environmental, economic and social benefits to regional Victoria. The objectives are to:

1. Increase farm water-use efficiency;
2. Integrate planning, management and implementation of investment in farm irrigation systems and irrigation water delivery systems.

The Initiative supports activities that either investigate, plan or implement improved on-farm irrigation practices, with a focus on on-ground works programs associated with reconfiguration/infrastructure programs, eg. the Shepparton Modernisation Program. It supports irrigators in adjusting to the changes being brought in through the Our Water Our Future reforms.

The Initiative is largely delivered through the Regional Catchment Investment Plan process. Regional Catchment Strategies and Land and Water Management Plans are key documents underpinning investment choices. These documents provide strategic directions for natural resource management investment in Catchment Management Authority Regions across Victoria.

The Initiative will deliver:

• Healthier rivers due to reduced nutrient loads in irrigation drainage systems;
• Further reductions in salinity associated with lower ground water infiltration
• Farm water savings to be returned to productive uses;
• Delivery system water savings through support for major infrastructure projects.