July 8, 2014

Rainwater tanks will now be compulsory on new houses and commercial buildings in the Yarraman and Cooyar areas following a decision by Toowoomba Regional Council.

Today’s Committee of Council meeting noted that Housing Minister Tim Mander had formally endorsed TRC’s application to opt in to the Queensland Development Codes for rainwater tanks.

These means rainwater tanks will be compulsory on new houses and large commercial buildings across the Toowoomba region from September 1 this year.

In June 2013 Council recommended “opting in” to the mandatory installation of rainwater tanks on new houses and large commercial buildings.

Lapsed building applications will also be required to comply with the new regulation from September 1.

South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann confirmed this afternoon that rainwater tanks were not compulsory in the South Burnett Council area on properties connected to reticulated water.

“While we urge people to install them, it is not a compliance issue,” he said.