HOME WATERWISE SCHEME REACHES $70 MILLION MARK

The Beattie Government’s Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme has paid more than $70 million in rebates into the pockets of Queenslanders purchasing water saving products.

Premier Peter Beattie said as of close of business yesterday, the scheme - which started on July 3 last year - had paid out $71,209,905 in rebates and resulted in significant water savings.

“As of early this month, water savings from the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme are estimated to be up to 2858 million litres a yearacross the State,” Mr Beattie said.

“With 121,145 applications processed since the program began last year, the Rebate Scheme is the largest consumer rebate scheme in Queensland’s history.

“Rainwater tanks have proven most popular, with $59,718,611 paid out for 60,918 water tanks,” Mr Beattie said.

“There have been payments totalling $8,612,972 for 43,066 water-efficient washing machines and $1,398,270 for 9,359 dual-flush toilet suites,” he said.

Mr Beattie said Queensland continued to battle the worst drought it had ever seen and everyone had a role to play in saving water.

“The Government is working hard to secure the future water supply for SEQ through the $9 billion Water Grid, but to get through this drought and to ensure we don’t find ourselves in the same dire situation again, we have to continue to reduce demand.

"Queenslanders are making an unprecedented effort to save water and the WaterWise schemes are the Government’s way of supporting and encouraging their efforts,” he said.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Government remained committed to reducing waiting times for rebates, with average processing times continuing to fall under 60 days.

“Staff are working hard to process applications as quickly as possible to ensure Queenslanders get their rebates in the shortest amount of time and I congratulate them on their efforts,” Mr Wallace said.

“In the past week alone, the team had two ‘Million Dollar Days’, where staff processed and paid out more than $1 million in the space of one working day.”

Mr Wallace said the Department of Natural Resources and Water had recently acquired a further floor of the Woolloongabba building where the scheme’s staff were based.

“This will accommodate our expanding Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme staff,” he said.

The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme offers rebates for a range of products, including up to $1000 for water tanks, $200 for 4-star or better water-rated washing machines, $500 for greywater systems, $150 for dual flush toilets and $30 for 3-star showerheads.

ENDS

Media inquiries:

3224 4500 (Premier’s office)

Paul Childs (Minister Wallace’s office) 0407 131 654