30 January 2009
Peter Garrett AM
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Australian households will be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 each for the purchase of a rainwater tank or a greywater system under a new Rudd Government program.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong announced the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative today as part of the Government’s $12.9 billion Water for the Future program which aims to secure our long-term water supplies.
The $250 million National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative delivers on an election commitment to help households save precious drinking water.
“From today, Australian householders will be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 to help them save water at home.
“Through this initiative, households will receive financial support to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems, which will reduce the use of drinking water.”
Announcing the details of the plan, Senator Wong said rainwater tanks were currently used by only a small minority of urban Australian households.
“The only exception is Adelaide where 40 per cent of households have rainwater tanks – but the average is less than 10 per cent for other capital cities,” Senator Wong said.
Mr Garrett said the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative will have a major part to play in improving water efficiency and adapting to climate change.
“I encourage Kingsford Smith householders who don’t yet have a rainwater tank or greywater system to consider this rebate and help conserve our precious water resources.” Mr Garrett said.
“Only in the recent days we’ve had a pretty good reminder of how hot an Australian summer can be and in the face of ongoing drought and dangerous climate change, installing a tank or greywater system at home makes very good sense.
“It is just one of the many things that we can all do around our homes to reduce the size of our carbon footprint and help look after our environment.”
Rebates are available for the purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank which is connected for internal re-use of the water for toilet and/or laundry use or the purchase and installation of a permanent greywater treatment system.
A $400 rebate is available for a 2,000-3,999 litre tank and a $500 rebate is available for a tank greater than 4,000 litres.
Guidelines and application form for the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative are available from www.environment.gov.au/water or by calling 1800 808 571.