BLIGH BUDGET PROVIDES $32.1M TOP UP FOR WATERWISE REBATES

The Bligh Government’s first State Budget has provided an extra $32.1 million for the popular Home and Garden Waterwise Rebate Scheme to help Queenslanders save even more of our precious water resources.

Acting Water Minister Warren Pitt said the funding would help Queenslanders to continue to tackle drought and climate change.

The scheme provides rebates to Queenslanders who install rainwater tanks, water-efficient washing machines and shower heads, dual-flush toilet suites, greywater systems, pool covers and rollers and water-efficient garden products.

“This rebate scheme is the largest and most generous of its type in the state’s history,” Mr Pitt said.

“The three-year scheme started in mid-2006 with $29 million in funding,” he said.

“Last month, the scheme passed a major milestone, when the total value of rebates provided passed the $250 million mark.

“With the further $32.1 million provided in this Budget, a total of $339.3 million has now been provided for the scheme.”

To date, 423,917 applications have been approved worth more than $260 million.

Rebates paid for individual items include:

• 225,978 rainwater tanks
• 139,648 washing machines
• 21,596 pool covers and/or rollers
• 30,200 dual flush toilets
• 29,389 showerheads
• 27,177 rebates for water-efficient garden products
• 2904 greywater diverters or systems.

Approximately 33 per cent of all eligible Queensland households now have received a rainwater tank rebate thanks to the Home and Garden Waterwise Rebate Scheme.

More information on the rebate scheme is available from www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water

Media enquiries: Paul Childs, Office of the Minister for Natural Resources and Water, 0407 131 654