The Brumby Government will provide an additional 5000 households with a rebate of up to $1000 for installing a large rainwater tank after recent demand for the rebates meant water authorities had reached the allocated funding.
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From 1 July, the Government will also double the rebate for installing a dual flush toilet to $100 for another 12,000 toilets and continue offering rebates for showerheads, greywater systems and other water saving products.
Water Minister Tim Holding said rainwater tank rebates were extremely popular, with 40,000 provided in recent years.
“Households right across Victoria have slashed their water use in recent years which has eased the pressure on our depleted storages,” Mr Holding said.
“Even with water restrictions being eased in more than 275 towns across Victoria since the start of last year, water use has continued to remain low and has been helped by water saving devices that households have installed.
“Almost 3 billion litres of water is saved each year from the water saving products that households have claimed a rebate for and are using in their house and gardens today.
Water captured in rainwater tanks is not subject to water restrictions. This means rainwater can be used for washing cars, watering lawns or providing more water for gardens.
Since the start of the Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebates scheme almost 280,000 rebates have been provided to Victorian households.
The most popular rebate is the basket of water saving products. Households receive a $30 rebate for purchasing $100 worth of products such as mulch, compost bins, wetting agents, tap timers and waterless car cleaning agents.
Melbourne’s water storages are currently 33.5 per cent. Just over 12 months ago they were at their lowest point in history at 25.6 per cent.
