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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3666 ..

construction costs or after settlement by Housing ACT’s facility managers. For this reason, a total amount cannot easily be determined. However, as a guide, and depending on the site, landscaping can range inn cost from around $5,000 to $15,000 per dwelling.

(7) Housing ACT undertakes an annual garden competition that as part of the judging takes into consideration water conservation and other water saving measures.

(8) No formal cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken. However, preliminary estimates indicate that an accelerated program to install dual flush cisterns and AAA showerheads where the current fittings are still serviceable would cost in the order of $4m. Installation of rainwater tanks for 75% of houses and 33% of Older Persons Accommodation units is estimated to cost a further $10m. Rainwater tanks for flats have not been included in this analysis.

Water—government schools
(Question No 1709)

Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Education and Training, upon notice, on 1 July 2004:

(1) Is water used by government schools charged for on the same basis as other institutions, for example non-government schools;

(2) Who is responsible for paying water rates for government schools;

(3) Under school-based budgeting, are there any incentives for schools to introduce water-saving measures;

(4) Are there any programs for modifying plantings or watering practices in government schools to reduce water use;

(5) Has any funding been provided for water-saving measures generally in government schools;

(6) Has any analysis been undertaken of the costs and benefits of actual or possible indoor or outdoor water-saving measures in government schools; if so, what was the result.

Ms Gallagher: The answer to Mrs Dunne’s question is:

(1) Both government and non-government schools are charged on the same basis for water use. The rates available to schools are lower than those available to most other water users.

(2) Government schools are responsible for paying water rates from funding received under school based management arrangements.

(3) Schools have an incentive to reduce water consumption in that the school retains all savings made from their funding allocation.

(4) The department has been working with schools since the mid-1990s to reduce the amount of irrigated grass areas in schools. With the introduction of water restrictions in December 2002, the department appointed a water project officer for a 6 month period and has provided advice and assistance to schools aimed at reducing water consumption.

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