Council gives financial assistance for waterwise products
Through its Residential Water Saver Rebate Scheme, Council is offering financial assistance to residents who install waterwise products in and around their home.
This forms part of a program to make Tamworth ‘The Waterwise Region’.
Australia is the driest continent on earth and Tamworth can be a very dry place, so Council is proactive in assisting its residents to optimise their water consumption.
This rebate scheme was started on 28 February 2007 and will run through until 28 February 2014.
Products you can get financial assistance for
Council will pay up to 50% of the purchase/installation cost or a maximum of the following amounts on these products:
| Products |
Price |
| 3-star showerhead |
$20 |
| 3-star dual flush toilet |
$150 |
| 4-star washing machine |
$100 |
| Swimming pool cover |
$100 |
| 4-star dishwasher |
$100 |
| Greywater diversion system |
$150 |
| Greywater treatment system |
$500 |
| 2-5 kilolitre rainwater tank |
$250 |
| 5 kilolitre or above rainwater tank |
$500 |
Some important things you should know before you apply
In order to receive the rebate:
- your home must be connected to town water
- you need to have purchased your products after 28 February 2007
- 4-star dishwashers must have been purchased after 8 February 2011 - the date they were added to the scheme
There are also some important things to know if you apply for the rebate for a dual flush toilet, greywater re-use system or rainwater tank:
- a licensed plumber must install dual flush toilets, greywater re-use systems, and rainwater tanks, then sign your rebate application
- if you are installing a dual flush toilet, it must include both a new cistern and bowl. Older toilet bowls are not compatible with new water-saving cisterns – not enough water is released to flush solid waste down the older, wider outlet. You will end up using more water to flush the waste. You need a new bowl with a narrow outlet
- greywater treatment systems need a separate application to Council, called an On-site Sewerage Management Application. You then need Council to inspect the system and sign your Water Rebate Application Form. Contact the Development and Approvals Services Division for further information on (02) 6767 5552
- rainwater tanks must be new and must be connected to the laundry and/or toilet
- if you are building or have just moved into a new home, this may change what you can claim. Under the BASIX regulations, new homes must have various water-saving devices included when built. This also includes any renovations or additions in excess of $50,000. But if there is something you want to claim that was not required by BASIX, Council may pay the rebate. In your application you need to include an Occupation Certificate that shows exactly what was required under BASIX requirements
Products need to have a waterwise rating
To be eligible for the Council rebate, the products you install must be certified as being water-saving.
Important information when installing a rainwater tank
Different Rainwater Tank Regulations apply to different areas of the region, so please check to see what applies to you.
When does it all end
Council's Residential Water Saving Rebate Scheme is currently planned to finish on 28 February 2014.
No applications will be processed for water saving devices installed or purchased after this date.
Apply for your water saving rebate
To apply for the Residential Water Saving Rebate, complete a Water Rebate Application Form.
You need to attach copies of receipts for the products - but please keep the originals for your own records.
For some products, you will need a plumber to sign your application form in the Plumber’s Declaration section.
To get the rebate on some products, it is a requirement that a plumber installs them. It is very useful if you give your plumber the Plumber’s Advice sheet to make sure they fulfill the requirements of the scheme.
When your rebate has been processed, you will receive a letter with a rebate cheque attached, or a letter explaining why you have not been successful.