Waterwise Program Axed

Queensland, the smart state? The new budget has axed the waterwise rebate scheme for Queensland.

Even though that has nothing to do with solar hot water, you might have wanted to use some of those rebates. Now there are 18 days left to act. You have until 16 February to get your application in but you need to purchase and pay in full before 31 December.

The main rebate of $1,500 is for a plumbed-in rainwater tank. It needs to serve your laundry or toilet. You only have to purchase and pay before the end of 2008. But it needs to be fully functional before you send the application in (by 16 February).

If you wan to take action, the best starting point is probably the Green Plumber website. They have a list of accredited plumbers who have received special training in rain water tanks. You can just call on 1300 368 519 and they’ll give you a number of the closest green plumber who can quote for you.

The Other Waterwise Rebates

Front loading washing machines (or another 4-star) get $200

Lowflow showerhead $30

Dual-flush toilet $150

Swimming Pool Cover $200

Greywater system $200-$500

Garden products (mulch, drought resistant plants, etc.) $50

For more details on eligibility, you need to check the Waterwise Website.

Implications for Solar Hot Water

There are no direct implications. However, it shows how fickle our government can be. The waterwise program was always planned to run until June 2009. Now it has just been axed with less than 3 weeks to take action.

Currently the various rebates pay for over 50% of a solar hot water system. Hopefully, the Australian government understands the value of these rebates more clearly and keeps them in place.

The only thing we know for sure is that there is no certainty at all. So if we cannot be waterwise any more, let’s be solarwise while we can.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.