25 MORE STAFF TO ASSIST IN PROCESSING HOME WATERWISE REBATES

Premier Peter Beattie and Acting Water Minister John Mickel today announced that 25 more staff will be appointed to process rebate applications under the highly popular Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme.

Mr Beattie said the increase would bring to 156 the number of staff involved in processing rebate claims for products including water tanks, dual flush toilets and water-efficient washing machines.

The scheme has just passed the $40 million mark after staff approved a record $3.6 million in applications in one week, including $1 million last Saturday.

The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme is estimated to have saved up to 1,754 million litres a year based on the 74,440 rebates paid to date.

“The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme has been a runaway success,” Mr Beattie said.

“We have been deluged with applications as Queenslanders make an unprecedented effort to save water in the worst drought on record,” he said.

“The government has now paid out over $41.7 million to date in rebates to applicants in 29,689 cheques and 44,660 electronic funds transfer payments.

“However, we still are receiving between 5000 and 6000 rebate applications a week with no sign of this demand reducing, especially with Level 5 restrictions beginning next week.”

Acting Water Minister John Mickel said Queenslanders had been patient waiting for rebates cheques because they know the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme has been immensely popular.

“I ask that people continue to be patient as we get more processing staff on the job,” the Minister said.

To date, rebates have been provided for: 34,800 rainwater tanks; 28,062 water-efficient washing machines and 6,532 dual-flush toilet suites.

According to Department of Natural Resources and Water calculations, water savings for the scheme could be up to 1,754 million litres a year based on the 74,440 rebates paid to date.

Mr Mickel said the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme was the largest consumer rebate scheme in Queensland’s history.

He said processing times had been increased due to the fact that between 20% to 45% of applications were incorrectly or incompletely filled out.

“This caused substantial delays for processing staff who had to contact applicants one or more times to get the correct information,” he said.

This problem was addressed last month by streamlining the application form and terms and conditions and by providing a checklist to help applicants fill in the form correctly.

The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme is statewide.

It offers rebates for a range of products, including $1000 for water tanks, $200 for 4-star or better water-rated washing machines and $150 for dual flush toilets.

Media inquiries:

Elouise Campion, Minister Mickel – 0409 588 302

Wendy George, Premier’s Office – 0400 760 492.