Media Release

Will Hodgman MP
Leader of the Opposition
Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer
Sue Napier MP
Shadow Minister for the Environment

Thursday 17th December 2009

Water Wise Fund to empower Tasmanians to invest in water saving

A Hodgman Liberal Government will establish a $5 million Water Wise Fund as part of our plan to fix Labor’s water and sewerage mess.

Leader of the Opposition, Will Hodgman, said:

“A Hodgman Liberal Government will set up a $5 million Water Wise Fund to provide Tasmanians with practical incentives to reduce their own costs through water saving initiatives such as grey water systems, rainwater tanks, and water saving measures such as dual flush toilets and water saving shower heads.

“We strongly believe in investing in Tasmania’s water and sewerage infrastructure but we also believe in empowering Tasmanians to do their bit in their own homes.”

Shadow Minister for the Environment, Sue Napier, said:

“More than 50% of total household wastewater excluding kitchen waste could be reused as grey water.[1] This means that an average household could reduce its water usage considerably through relying on grey water for garden watering and toilet flushing.”

Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said:

“Currently rebates of up to $500 are available towards the installation of either a grey water system or a water tanks under the Federal Government’s National rainwater and grey water initiative.

“However, in Tasmania there is currently no consistent state-wide policy on grey water reuse or rainwater tanks.

“A Hodgman Liberal Government will immediately, with local government assistance, develop and introduce consistent state-wide guidelines for the installation of grey water systems and rainwater tanks.”

Shadow Environment Minister, Sue Napier, said:

“We will back this up with the Water Wise Fund that will provide grants of up to $500 to householders to assist them to install either grey water systems, rain water tanks or other approved water saving measures such as dual flush toilets and water saving shower heads. This will provide support for grey water systems, rainwater tanks or other water savings measures to up to 10,000 Tasmanian households.

“We will also establish a website that shares practical hints for being water-wise in the garden and home, whether in the laundry, bathroom or kitchen, to ensure that all Tasmanians can share in the task of conserving our water resource.

“Given that Tasmania has 12 percent of the nation’s rainfall on only 1.5 percent of the Australian landmass, we strongly believe that more must to be done to harness and reuse our natural water advantage.”

Any Water Wise Fund grant will be provided in addition to any Federal Government or local council incentives.