Tank rebates extended for bushfire-affected households

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

The Government today announced the extension of the rainwater tank grant scheme for bushfire-affected households.

The scheme provides grants of up to $1000 for residents to purchase and install rainwater tanks as they rebuild homes destroyed in the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

More than 2100 houses were lost during the 2009 bushfires and many people are still rebuilding. As a part of this process, the Victorian Government is extending one-off rebates on rainwater tanks to help families rebuilding after the fires.

More than 165 households in bushfire affected areas have already received grants to purchase and install rainwater tanks. The scheme will now be extended until June 2012 so that these grants continue to be available during the ongoing recovery process.

The grants are available to residences eligible to receive a Destroyed Homes Payment through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund for tanks which meet Australian Design Standards.

The grants help Victorians use water wisely and rainwater tanks were a great way to contribute to overall water efficiency.  Now is a great time to install a rainwater tank, with typically cooler and wetter weather starting to set in over winter.

Water tank grants that are available to bushfire-affected residents include:

• $1000 for a tank 4000+ litres connected to all toilets and laundry;
• $900 for a tank 4000+ litres connected to all toilets; and
• $500 for a tank 2000-3999 litres connected to all toilets.

Rainwater tanks not only reduce our reliance on water from our storages, but have great environmental benefits through the capture and re-use of stormwater.

For more information visit resourcesmart.vic.gov.au or call 1300 363 744.