South East Queenslanders Embrace Water Saving Initiative

6 May 2007

South East Queenslanders Embrace Water Saving Initiative

More than 80,000 South-east Queensland homes are now fitted with crucial water saving devices thanks to the State Government’s Home WaterWise Service.

Acting Premier Anna Bligh and Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser today announced the service had surpassed expectations – and the target set by the government – by the end of April.

Ms Bligh said 80,000 home-owners– which represents about eight per cent of all homes in the south-east corner –had taken advantage of the plumbing retrofits since the Home WaterWise Service was introduced in July last year.

“That eclipses the scheme’s water regulation target of 75,000 houses by the end of April this year,” Ms Bligh said.

“Obviously this is a great result and more and more homes will be fitted with water saving devices as the scheme continues but more than anything I think it shows that Queenslanders understand we are in the midst of devastating drought and are doing their bit to help save our water supplies.”

The Home WaterWise Service is a subsidised service for the installation of water efficient devices by licensed plumbers in South East Queensland homes.

For a cost of $20, plumbers install water saving showerheads, fix up to three leaks and provide water saving advice - a service that would normally cost $150

Mr Fraser said the 130 plumbers employed by the service were currently processing 13,000 bookings.

“With those 13,000 bookings in the system the next target of 150,000 retrofits by the end of year is within reach given current demand,” Mr Fraser said.

He said with the service operating across the 21 council areas of South East Queensland the government had also recently launched a recruitment campaign for extra plumbers to meet the extra demand.

“An additional 18 call centre operators have also been employed for the Home WaterWise Service bringing the total number of locals employed to more than 50,” he said.

“Every house can make a difference saving up to 21,000 litres per house per year.

“Retrofitting so far equates to water savings of more than 1600 million litres a year.”

To make a HomeWaterWise appointment phone 1300 968 728 or visit www.homewaterwise.com

Media Contact: Chris Ward 3227 8821 or 0418 424 654