Gold Coast meat processor taps in to Business Water Efficiency Program fund

Gold Coast meat processing plant Teys Bros has received $99,250 to help the company slash its water use by 5.3 million litres a year.

Minister for Local Government Warren Pitt announced the funding through the State Government’s $55 million Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).

Mr Pitt said Teys Bros had installed an additional hot water storage tank at its flagship Beenleigh plant, cutting water overflow to the drain and preserving precious potable water supplies.

“I congratulate Teys Bros for the company’s commitment to saving water,” Mr Pitt said.

“Every day, the plant is saving 14,520 litres of water. That’s the same amount of water used by 103 people sticking to Target 140 litres a day.

“It’s a great example of what can be achieved with the support of the BWEP program.”

Mr Pitt said BWEP aimed to reduce business water consumption by 12 million litres a day in South East Queensland – the equivalent of about five Olympic size swimming pools of water.

“Businesses that used more than one million litres of town water in 2005-06 can apply for BWEP subsidies of up to 50 per cent to help meet the cost of water saving projects,” Mr Pitt said.

“To date, BWEP has received more than 400 funding applications for 1,100 water saving initiatives from a range of businesses, from meatworks to shopping centres.

“If all of these projects are approved and completed, South East Queensland businesses will save 18 million litres of water a day, six million litres more than our target for 30 April 2008.

“While households consume 66 per cent of the region’s water, business plays an important role. I encourage companies to complete their Water Efficiency Management Plans, identify water saving projects and apply for funding.

“Saving water is smart business. It’s good for the environment and the bottom line - and the $55 million BWEP fund is there to give business a helping hand.”

The Business Water Efficiency Program is funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation, managed by SEQWater and delivered on the Gold Coast by Gold Coast City Council. For more information, visit www.seqwater.com.au/bwep.

Media contact: Minister’s office 3227 8819