QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT RULES OUT TAXES ON WATER TANKS
Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Rainwater collected from a roof for a rainwater tank will belong entirely to the homeowner and no tax or charge can be levied, in water reforms passed by the Queensland Parliament today.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said landlords who have installed water-saving devices in their rental properties also would be allowed to have individual meters installed in those properties under the legislative changes.
“The changes will ensure that rainwater collected from a roof for a rainwater tank will belong entirely to the homeowner,” Mr Wallace said.
“No tax or charge can now be levied in Queensland,” he said.
Mr Wallace said landlords who had fitted water-saving devices to rental properties now could charge tenants in individually metered properties for water consumption.
“Just like homeowners, renters will have responsibility for watching their own water use,” he said.
Fixing water leaks will be classified as an emergency repair in rental accommodation and must be done within 24 hours.
Other measures in the Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 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.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said landlords who have installed water-saving devices in their rental properties also would be allowed to have individual meters installed in those properties under the legislative changes.
“The changes will ensure that rainwater collected from a roof for a rainwater tank will belong entirely to the homeowner,” Mr Wallace said.
“No tax or charge can now be levied in Queensland,” he said.
Mr Wallace said landlords who had fitted water-saving devices to rental properties now could charge tenants in individually metered properties for water consumption.
“Just like homeowners, renters will have responsibility for watching their own water use,” he said.
Fixing water leaks will be classified as an emergency repair in rental accommodation and must be done within 24 hours.
Other measures in the Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 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 inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.