September 16, 2020
Toowoomba Regional Council has approved an extension of its water tank rebate scheme.
Residents or businesses can receive rebates of either $300 or $500, depending on the size of the tank installed.
The updated scheme will be open until June 30, 2021, for commercial or residential Toowoomba Region property owners on a water supply network intending to purchase a water tank.
The incentive is also available to people who have purchased a tank since July 1, 2020.
Cr Geoff McDonald said the scheme would further encourage responsible use of water.
“With the current drought continuing, we need to look at every opportunity available to help relieve pressure on potable water supplies,” Cr McDonald said.
“When the scheme was introduced in November 2019, 35 successful applicants received the $300 rebate at a cost to Council of $10,500.
“The updated scheme will have a broader scope to allow more residents and commercial operations to meet the eligibility conditions.”
Cr McDonald said the new criteria would allow water tanks of at least 5000 litres capacity to be retrofitted to existing houses and commercial properties.
“Eligible buildings must be connected to a Council reticulated water supply network; however, it is up to the applicant as to whether the tank is plumbed into the premises,” he said.
“The scheme has changed to allow rebates of $300 for a 5000-litre tank and $500 for a 10,000-litre tank per eligible property.
“There will be a maximum of one application per existing house or commercial property connected to a Council water network.
“The water tank rebate will apply retrospectively to applicants from July 1, 2020, until the Scheme’s maximum value of $20,000 is reached.
“It is proposed that the rebate will comprise of a reduction to either the water rate notice or the rate notice in the next notice cycle after approval of the application.”
