Page 3159 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 October 2006
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to promote development and implementation of an integrated regional approach to ACT and New South Wales water supply and management; to protect the water quality in ACT rivers, lakes and aquifers; to maintain and enhance environmental, amenity, recreational and designated use values and to protect the health of people in the ACT and down river; to facilitate incorporation of water sensitive urban design into urban, commercial and industrial development; and to promote and provide for community involvement and partnership in managing the ACT water resources strategy.
Our commitment to infrastructure investment was highlighted just yesterday with the Chief Minister announcing a $15 million extension to the innovative Cotter-Googong bulk transfer system, an investment that will deliver Canberrans up to 85 megalitres of water a day.
I would like to focus on how the second objective, increasing the efficiency of water usage, is being implemented by the government. The strategy has set water targets to reduce per capita use of mains water by12 per cent by 2013 and 25 per cent by 2023 and increasing wastewater reuse from five per cent to 20 per cent by 2013. Since the release of the strategy in April 2004, much has been done to reduce our water usage on a practical level.
The ACT’s water efficiency incentives program has successfully delivered a number of programs across residential, government and commercial sectors. More specifically, the program includes the introduction of residential water efficiency programs providing rebates for water efficient products such as dual flush toilets and showerheads and expert advice for saving water in the home and garden; rebates for rainwater tanks with internal plumbing connections; publication of guidelines for grey water use; commercial water audit programs to assist businesses to identify water shortage and wastage water audits for 20 schools participating in the sustainable schools pilot program and investigation into the extension of a successful COMTROL irrigation system to schools, sports grounds and urban parkland.
To date 5,744 Canberra households have participated in the WaterSmart homes program, the old indoor tune-up program, and 1,566 households have participated in the GardenSmart program, the old outdoor tune-up program. Over 340 households have received a rebate for the replacement of single flush toilets with more efficient dual flush toilets. A new program targeting residential automated irrigation systems is currently being considered to encourage more efficient outdoor watering in home gardens.
Over 1,000 rainwater tank rebates have been provided to householders. The focus of the program is now on providing a financial incentive for residents to connect rainwater tanks to their toilets and washing machines, which delivers the highest savings. Grey-water and rainwater tank guidelines have been produced and are very popular publications with the community, providing practical and regulatory advice. An audit program for the commercial sector has been popular, providing information and recommendations on water efficiency measures for approximately 70 of the ACT’s high water-using businesses and buildings.
The sustainable schools program commenced in December 2005 and will deliver comprehensive indoor and outdoor water audits of 40 schools over two years. Funding will also be provided to schools to implement recommendations to reduce water
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