Local irrigators in the Lithgow-Blue Mountains area are invited to apply for grants to carry out works to improve irrigation efficiency by March 26.

The grants are part of the $17 million Industry and Investment NSW (formerly NSW Department of Primary Industries) WaterSmart Farms project.

Grants are available to irrigators using Sydney water or licensed river water.

Works that can be funded include upgrading pumps and irrigation systems, installing efficient sprinklers, water harvesting and reuse systems and irrigation scheduling equipment.

Other works that are likely to improve irrigation efficiency may also be considered for funding.

Bill Yiasoumi, Team Leader WaterSmart Farms, said the grants provide a significant opportunity for the local irrigation industry to secure a sustainable future in the Sydney basin.

“With increased pressures on irrigated agriculture such as reduced water availability and increased costs, irrigation efficiency improvements can help improve productivity and reduce costs,” Mr Yiasoumi said.

“Grants are available for projects of all sizes, from simple retrofits through to complete irrigation system redesigns and replacements.

“I encourage all local irrigators to get involved.”

Landholders across the project area that includes parts of the Wollondilly, Camden, Liverpool, Penrith, Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Hornsby local government areas may be eligible for funding.

Landholders interested in a WaterSmart Farms Grant need to submit an Expression of Interest form by 5 pm on Friday March 26.

For details on eligible areas, conditions of funding and copies of the Expression of Interest Forms please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/re sources/smartfarms or call the Smart Farms Information Line on 4588 2118.

The Smart Farms project is part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Program.

Funding for the program has been provided by the Australian Government through its Water for the Future program, with supplementary funding for the WaterSmart Farms project provided by the NSW Government through its Climate Change Fund.