QUEENSLAND TO LEGISLATE TO BAN TAXES ON WATER TANKS

Local councils will be banned from taxing water in residential tanks following changes announced by Premier Anna Bligh today.

Ms Bligh said State Cabinet had today approved a range of legislative changes that will be introduced as part of the Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 this week.

Major measures in the legislation include prohibiting taxes on water in residential tanks and allowing landlords who have installed water-saving devices in rental properties to have individual meters installed on rental properties.

“This is about being smart and fair with our water-saving measures,” Ms Bligh said.

“South East Queensland is in the middle of the worst drought on record with dam levels today just under 21%.

“That’s why the State Government is spending more than $9 billion to build a South East Queensland water grid and ensure security of supply.

“These new measures are about spreading the load and making sure people who are doing the right thing are treated fairly.”

Ms Bligh said some homeowners had raised concerns that water in their tanks might be taxed in future.

“The Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill – to be introduced into Parliament tomorrow - will put that fear to rest in Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.

“The Bill will ensure that rainwater collected from a roof for a rainwater tank will belong entirely to the homeowner and no tax or charge can be levied.

“Homeowners who have gone out and installed a water tank can now have certainty that their water is their own and can’t be taxed.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the legislation meant landlords who had fitted water-saving devices to rental properties could charge tenants in individually metered properties for water consumption.

“This is another measure designed to spread the load and encourage homeowners and renters alike to watch their water usage,” Mr Lucas said.

“Landlords will continue to be responsible for paying fixed costs of supply of water to premises.

“But if they’ve done the right thing and installed water-saving devices like reduced-flow shower heads and dual flush toilets they’ll be able to charge tenants for their water use.

“This means – just like homeowners – the responsibility for taking control of their water use will rest with the person using it.”

Mr Lucas said under the legislation fixing water leaks would be classified as an emergency repair, and must be done within 24 hours.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said the demand management and water efficiency measures would be implemented as a priority in South East Queensland and phased in across the rest of Queensland.

Mr Wallace said to implement the measures amendments will be made to the Water Act, Local Government Act 1993, the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002, the Residential Tenancies Act 1994 and the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997.

“Regional water supply strategies are currently being developed in the South East Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett, North Queensland, Mackay, Whitsunday and Far North Queensland,” Mr Wallace said.

“The Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy was finalised and released last year.

“These strategies provide a comprehensive approach for meeting regional urban, industrial and rural water needs, both in the short term and long term, addressing supply and demand issues.

“This legislation shows our commitment to ensuring that everyone has a responsibility to reduce water use.”

Other measures in the package include:

• regionally consistent residential water bills and billing cycles;
• restrictions on the use of backyard bores where these impact on reticulated town water supplies dependant on groundwater
• expanding allowable uses of treated greywater to include a wider range of indoor and outdoor uses and types of buildings where treated greywater may be re-used (applies to systems of less than 50 kilolitres)
• requiring local governments and water service providers to impose permanent low-level water conservation measures
• providing the chief executive of the Department of Natural Resources and Water with authority to direct water service providers to impose water restrictions where there is a significant water supply issue
• Enabling water service providers to reduce flow following repeated breaches of QWC restrictions (a power already available to water service providers in respect of their own water restrictions). Flow cannot be reduced below the minimum requirement for health and safety.

Media contact: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500