GOLD COAST RESIDENTS GET $18M FOR INSTALLING WATER-SAVING PRODUCTS

Gold Coast residents have received $18,000,834 in rebates for installing water-saving products, Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today during a visit to Bunnings Warehouse at Nerang.

Mr Wallace said the Bligh Government’s Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme (HWRS) had given rebates for 15,344 rainwater tanks, 11,059 washing machines and 1867 dual-flush toilet suites on the Gold Coast.

Mr Wallace released the details when he inspected three new 10,000 litre water tanks recently installed by Bunnings at Nerang.

The water captured by the rainwater tanks will be used in the nursery and to flush toilets, saving millions of litres of town water a year.

“The people of the Gold Coast are passionate about saving water, whether they are families or prominent local businesses such as Bunnings,” Mr Wallace said.

“Both individuals and businesses are helping us get through the worst drought on record and I thank them for their great effort,” he said.

After Brisbane City Council ($50m), residents in the Gold Coast City Council area have received the most in rebates under the HWRS.

Other rebates paid in the Gold Coast City Council area under the HWRS since July 2006 are:

·$253,000 for 1280 pool covers and/or pool rollers;

·$42,000 for 1698 water-efficient showerheads;

·$3000 for 84 greywater systems; and

·$35,000 for water-saving garden products

Mr Wallace said Bunnings Warehouse had implemented a program to improve water conservation in their stores nationwide, and the installation of the three rainwater tanks at Nerang was one of the first steps.

“Business, industry and governments are responsible for using approximately 30% of South East Queensland’s town water supply.

“The water savings being achieved by residents is extraordinary, so it is important that the business sector do their bit to help ease the water crisis.

“These rainwater tanks are a wonderful example of just how easy it is for businesses to reduce their reliance on town water supplies.

“I hope all businesses on the Gold Coast, and across Queensland, recognise the good work of Bunnings Warehouse and follow their lead.”

The State Government has partnered with Bunnings Warehouse to encourage all Queenslanders to make their homes and gardens water wise.

One-stop-shop information displays have been set up at Bunnings Warehouse stores across the state as part of a campaign to educate households to save water.

The displays include information on cash rebates for water saving devices including rainwater tanks, dual flush toilet suites, 3-star showerheads, water efficient garden products, greywater systems, 4-star washing machines and swimming pool covers.

The HWRS has paid almost 190,000 rebates worth more than $130 million.

The Home and Garden WaterWise display will be located in the DIY court of Bunnings Warehouse stores in Morayfield, Underwood, Browns Plains, Rocklea, Southport, Caloundra, Cairns, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Toowoomba until Tuesday 9 October 2007.

For further information, go to www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water or phone 1800 243 585.

Media contact: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace's office on 0407 131 654.