Southern Rural Water is seeking expressions of interest from landholders in the Nullawarre region to participate in a program designed to support drought-recovery in the nearby Heytesbury region.
The Farmer Helping Farmer initiative is a concept to share water access from existing private groundwater bores in Nullawarre to farmers in the Heytesbury area.
If the pilot program is successful, expansion opportunities could be explored in similar drought-stressed areas across southern Victoria.
We will work with local landholders in the Nullawarre and Heytesbury regions in south west Victoria, who have existing groundwater access, to identify opportunities to undertake infrastructure upgrades that can facilitate access to these bores.
These areas have been selected because:
- Heytesbury has been one of the most water-stressed areas in Victoria and is experiencing prolonged drought conditions.
- The Nullawarre region sits on top of the South West Limestone Aquifer, which is a relatively secure, high-quality water resource that is not at risk of over-extraction.
- Nullawarre is nearby to Heytesbury, which reduces water carting costs.
Expressions of interest
Expressions of interest will begin on Friday, 5 September. To express your interest in participating in the program, complete the application form here. Please email the completed form to Simon Ilsley at srw@srw.com.au or mail it to:
Southern Rural Water
PO Box 153
MAFFRA, Victoria, Australia, 3860
Public Consultation
To support the expressions of interest, we are holding a combination of online and in-person consultation sessions. The online session will be held on Monday, 15 September, between 4pm to 6pm. The drop-in session will be held at the Nirranda Football Netball Club clubrooms between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday, 17 September.
For the online session, you can register here.
For more details about the drop-in session, or to express your interest in attending, please email Simon Ilsley at srw@srw.com.au
Background
Southern Victoria has been well short of good rainfall for about 16 months and possibly longer, with fewer and less intense rain-bearing weather systems hitting the southern coastline. The lack of rain has impacted many food-producing regions that typically enjoy reliable rainfalls.
In response to the ongoing drought conditions, the Victorian Government has formed a Drought Response Taskforce. The objective is to listen directly with farmers and regional communities about their needs, so support is provided to those who need it most. The total package has now reached $144 million, thanks to an additional $75 million announced on 4 July 2025.
As part of this response, the Victorian Government is providing $2.5 million to Southern Rural Water to investigate and implement a new program to boost access to water in drought-affected regions.
Since the Victorian Government’s announcement of funding for this project, the region has experienced some rainfall that has resulted in the greening of the pastures.
Though, farmers are still reliant on bringing feed onto the land to maintain their stock levels, while many dams remain at low levels. With these changing conditions has come a light shift in the focus of the project to providing a secure water supply source for farmers that will allow them to maintain their recovery curve through the warmer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Farmer Helping Farmer?
The $2.5 million Farmer Helping Farmer project is being rolled out by Southern Rural Water and is funded by the Victorian Government under its drought support package.
The concept is to provide access to existing groundwater bores in regions that have a secure source of groundwater, which would be then available to farmers for stock and domestic usage in drought-affected areas.
Since the Victorian Government’s drought-relief package announcement, conditions in south west Victoria have improved. The project will investigate the feasibility of providing access to one or two bores in the short-term. The focus of the project will then shift towards providing longer-term water security for farmers that will support their recovery from the recent drought.
Having this water security, particularly during the upcoming summer period, should support farmers in maintaining their recovery from the recent drought.
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Where is the focus area for this project?
The project will pilot in the Heytesbury region in south west Victoria. The region has limited access to groundwater and this region is presently one of the most water stressed areas in Victoria.
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Could this project be extended into other regions?
Depending on the success of implementing the project in the Heytesbury region, and the availability of funding, this project could be expanded into other water-stressed farming regions that are managed by Southern Rural Water.
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How can a farmer or landowner help support other farmers?
A farmer or landowner with a licenced bore who is not presently using their full allocation can express an interest in participating in this project. An expression of interest form can be accessed here. Please email the completed form to Simon Ilsey at srw@srw.com.au or mail it to:
Southern Rural Water
PO Box 153
MAFFRA, Victoria, Australia, 3860 -
Will the water that another farmer takes from my bore, come from my water allocation?
Yes. Water taken from your bore will come from your water allocation. You will need to consider if you have spare water entitlement prior to committing to helping other farmers.
Please note, as part of this project, Southern Rural Water cannot increase the permissible take amount specified by a licence.
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If I participate in the Farmer Helping Farmer initiative, and allow someone to take water from my bore, will I be out of pocket?
No. If you allow someone to take water from your bore under the Farmer Helping Farmer initiative you will be reimbursed via direct payment for any spare water entitlement you offer.
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Will a participating farmer or landowner be out of pocket?
Southern Rural Water will also support participating landholders by reviewing their water licence and, if required, amending their water licence to allow for the use of the bore water off-site. All associated costs with amending a water licence will be covered by Southern Rural Water under the Farmer Helping Farmer initiative.
Additionally, all costs associated with the installation of a stand pipe and other related works will be covered.
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What would make a site suitable to participate in this project?
A secure source of bore water that has access to power and is accessible for a water carting truck. Accessibility considerations include a flat and well-drained surface that is not impeded by trees, power lines or other infrastructure.
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Can water collection occur off-site?
Yes, water collection can occur off-site subject to the following considerations:
- The bore is located close to the road verge, preferably within 150 metres.
- The road verge being of a sufficient width for a water carting truck to safely operate and to also safely enter and exit the collection point.
- The road verge not being constrained by topography, trees, native grasses and infrastructure such as drains and powerlines.
- The views and ultimate approval of the relevant Council.
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What type of works will be required to participate in this project?
A stand pipe is minimum extent of works required for every site. In addition to a stand pipe, and subject to an assessment of each site, the following works may be required:
- Upgrade to power supply
- Upgrade to the pump attached to the bore
- Works and/or upgrade to infrastructure associated with the bore
- Works to allow a water carting truck to safely access and collect water
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Are there any incentives to participate in this project?
Incentives are available and these will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Incentives may comprise of financial contributions towards the general running costs of the farm, or it may comprise of works such as new fences, gates, upgrades to infrastructure, water tanks to name a few.