Published Sunday, 01 July, 2007 at 09:20 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
APPLICATIONS DOUBLE FOR STATE GOVERNMENT WATER TANK REBATES
Applications for rebates from the State Government’s Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme have almost doubled after local councils tightened conditions for their water tank rebates, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
Mr Beattie said the government scheme was expected to pass the $80 million mark for rebates paid tomorrow (Monday) and it will have it first birthday on Tuesday.
“Last week around 12,500 rebate applications were received, nearly double the average of 7000 weekly applications previously,” Mr Beattie said.
“Around 87 per cent of applications were for water tanks.
“Brisbane City Council’s decision to provide less generous rebates has had a strong impact on the State Government’s rebate scheme,” Peter Beattie said.
“People with an application form sitting on the kitchen table have rushed to complete it.
“By contrast, we are holding the line; our rebate scheme has not changed.
“Indeed, we have provided an extra $100.8 million for rebates for the next 12 months – and with no change in rebate conditions.”
Brisbane City Council announced earlier this month that it will only pay rebates for water tanks that are internally plumbed.
Ipswich City Council announced earlier this week that it will cut rebates for water tanks if they are not internally plumbed.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme might get another spike in applications after the Ipswich City Council announcement.
He said rebates had been paid for 66,831 rainwater tanks ($66.5M), 46,510 4-star water rated washing machines ($9.3M) and 10,300 dual flush toilet suites ($1.5M).
Mr Wallace said application numbers would be closely monitored to determine if further resources were necessary to keep processing times down.
Currently the average processing time for rebate applications received in the last 90 days is 54 days, down from over 60 days.
The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme is the most popular consumer rebate scheme in Queensland’s history.
The scheme pays rebates for water tanks, water-efficient washing machines and shower heads, dual-flush toilet suites, pool covers and rollers and greywater systems.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office: Paul Childs 0407 131 654
1 July 2007
Mr Beattie said the government scheme was expected to pass the $80 million mark for rebates paid tomorrow (Monday) and it will have it first birthday on Tuesday.
“Last week around 12,500 rebate applications were received, nearly double the average of 7000 weekly applications previously,” Mr Beattie said.
“Around 87 per cent of applications were for water tanks.
“Brisbane City Council’s decision to provide less generous rebates has had a strong impact on the State Government’s rebate scheme,” Peter Beattie said.
“People with an application form sitting on the kitchen table have rushed to complete it.
“By contrast, we are holding the line; our rebate scheme has not changed.
“Indeed, we have provided an extra $100.8 million for rebates for the next 12 months – and with no change in rebate conditions.”
Brisbane City Council announced earlier this month that it will only pay rebates for water tanks that are internally plumbed.
Ipswich City Council announced earlier this week that it will cut rebates for water tanks if they are not internally plumbed.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme might get another spike in applications after the Ipswich City Council announcement.
He said rebates had been paid for 66,831 rainwater tanks ($66.5M), 46,510 4-star water rated washing machines ($9.3M) and 10,300 dual flush toilet suites ($1.5M).
Mr Wallace said application numbers would be closely monitored to determine if further resources were necessary to keep processing times down.
Currently the average processing time for rebate applications received in the last 90 days is 54 days, down from over 60 days.
The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme is the most popular consumer rebate scheme in Queensland’s history.
The scheme pays rebates for water tanks, water-efficient washing machines and shower heads, dual-flush toilet suites, pool covers and rollers and greywater systems.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office: Paul Childs 0407 131 654
1 July 2007