Small business and household water rebates extended
Minister for Water Peter Walsh announced today that the Living Victoria Water Rebate Program will be extended to more Victorian households and small businesses.
In Swan Hill today, Mr Walsh said a review of the first year of the program had led to changes to provide greater incentives for households and small businesses to make better use of water in commercial operations and around the home.
Mr Walsh said the Victorian Coalition Government had expanded the program by increasing rebates on products such as rainwater tanks and by making greater allowances for small businesses.
"By installing water efficient products, organisations and households can reduce their reliance on drinking water and better manage their ongoing operating costs by using alternative water resources," Mr Walsh said.
"The $40 million Living Victoria Water Rebate Program supports the Coalition Government's objectives for urban water management and complements our commitment to the efficient use of all water resources, including drinking water, rainwater, recycled water and stormwater.
"As we plan for a future with more people and an unpredictable environment, we need to identify solutions for how best to use and manage the water we have, which is an objective of our Living Melbourne, Living Victoria initiative," Mr Walsh said.
The program provides flexibility to small businesses and domestic customers by allowing them to integrate a combination of products to maximise their water savings and better manage their ongoing cost.
Changes to small business and household rebates include:
- small businesses can now have up to 50 employees, an increase of 30;
- small businesses can now make multiple claims to receive their maximum $2,000 rebate;
- homes which received their building permit prior to the introduction of the 6 Star building standards on 1 May 2011 are now eligible for tank rebates;
- households can claim $1,500 for a 4,000 litre or greater rainwater tank connected to the toilet and laundry, increasing the largest tank rebate by an extra $500;
- increase in the rebates for tank to toilet or laundry connections by $300 to $500
- rainwater tanks must be certified to Australian Standards to be eligible; and
- five-star water rated washing machines with at least a four-star energy rating will continue to be included in the program for a further three years.
For more information about rebates on rainwater tanks, contact your local water authority or visit www.water.vic.gov.au/rebates
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