Water for Fodder round two on hold despite govt claiming success

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The first round of the program proved 50 megalitres of South Australian water at a just $100 a megalitre to 800 farmers in the southern basin, provided they grew fodder.

In exchange for the 100 gigalitres of water, provided over two rounds, the federal government promised to contributed $100 million to South Australia's desalination plant.

However, a decision on round two will not be made until after the winter and spring flows, which will reveal what water availability will be like for this financial year.

A review of the program conducted in two parts, with an independent analysis and a stakeholder feedback report.

Water Minister Keith Pitt said 68 per cent of respondents support the program and 84 per cent of those who participated in round one said they would apply again if they had the opportunity.

"We helped those farm businesses during a difficult period of water shortages," Mr Pitt said.

"However, the independent technical review found that while the water supply situation for South Australia will develop over the water year, it will not be until after winter and some spring inflows that actual water availability for the 2020-21 water year will be more clearly known.

"I intend to work and consult closely with South Australia on the future of the program."

South Australia's promised $100m is also on hold, as the money will only be provided upon the completion of round two.

Round one of the program, which offered 40GL of the 100GL deal, saw a total of 4185 applications for the 800 individual lots of water available.

Moira Irrigation District chairman Warren Barnett said the decision to put round two on hold was a blow for farmers who had hoped water from the program would allow a spring irrigation of fodder crops.

"Everyone who applied for round one was planning on applying for round two," Mr Barnett said.

"At this point in time we only have three per cent general security allocation which is extremely low.

"I'm sure there are farmers, who like us, sowed fodder crops in autumn in the hope of getting water from the program in spring so we could finish those crops off."

South Australian Water Minister David Speirs said the program was another example of federal and state governments working together.

"The Water for Fodder program was an historic agreement between the Australian and South Australian governments to use Adelaide's Desalination Plant to support drought-affected farmers in a great time of need," Mr Speirs said.

"As we have always said we would review the program before commencing the second round to assess water availability across the Murray-Darling Basin, the impacts of different water dependent industries and to protect South Australia's water security.

"The South Australian Government looks forward to working with the Australian Government as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder to support farmers across the country who are doing it tough."