Tweed Shire Council has launched a new Water Saving Rebate for Tweed Shire residents.
Tweed home owners can receive financial assistance to install water efficient showerheads and taps in their houses, through the latest Tweed Shire Council initiative to curb residential water consumption.
From July 1, 2011 until June 30, 2012, Council is offering a Water Saving Rebate of up to $70 for households connected to the town water supply.
The Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Kevin Skinner, said the rebate was available for the replacement of showerheads, tap aerators and replacement spouts with more water efficient alternatives.
“This covers the purchase and installation costs and is an important step in our Shire-wide effort to conserve water,” Cr Skinner said in announcing the rebate.
“The Water Saving Rebate is a key element of the Demand Management Strategy Implementation Plan which was adopted by Council earlier this year.”
He said the rebate was 50 per cent of the combined cost of the water efficient products and any associated installation costs, up to a maximum rebate of $70.
Showerheads must be three-star WELS (Water Efficiency and Standards scheme) rated, aerators must be three-star WELS rated and replacement spouts must be four-star WELS rated.
“Any combination of showerheads, aerators and spouts is eligible for the rebate but each household can only claim one rebate. The rebate can be claimed for a maximum of two of any individual products,” he said.
Showerheads, aerators and replacement spouts can be purchased from any hardware, plumbing supply shop or through any plumber. Receipts for all eligible products and installation costs or a copy of the plumber’s invoice must be attached to the application form and should clearly show the make and model number of products, so the WELS ratings can be verified by Council.
“Property owners and managing agents are eligible to apply for the rebate,” Cr Skinner said.
“People renting will need to encourage their landlord or managing agent to participate, because installing showerheads, aerators and replacement spouts involves changing the internal plumbing fittings in the home.
“The fittings are permanent and become part of the property, so they should only be done with the permission of the landlord or managing agent. For this reason, an application for the rebate needs to come from either the property owner or managing agent.”
The rebate is available for the replacement of existing showerheads and taps and does not apply to products installed to comply with BASIX requirements for new developments.
From July 1, 2011, application forms for the rebate will be available on Council’s website at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au, by calling Council on (02) 6670 2400 or from Council’s offices at the Murwillumbah Civic & Cultural Centre, on Tumbulgum Road, and Tweed Civic Centre, at Brett Street, Tweed Heads.
“Council’s allocation of funds for the Water Saving Rebate allows for installations in around 2500 properties up to June 30, 2012. That represents about 10 per cent of all residential water connections,” he said.
“Council will provide as much notice as possible on its website and in the Tweed Link if this budget is close to being exhausted. However, the program allows for participation to be monitored over the first year and for it to be modified if required in years two and three.
“We hope as many of our water customers as possible take advantage of the rebate and help us reduce residential water use.”
