Washing Machine Rebates
July 2008

Following the public exhibition of the proposed Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy, Council at its June 2008 meeting has adopted the Strategy which includes the provision of a rebate for the purchase of washing machines with a 4 star rating.

Council publicly exhibited the proposed IWCM strategy for a 6 week period commencing in April 2008 with a refined Increased Source Substitution. This allowed for increased activities such as:-

• Mandatory rainwater tanks in new developments for lot sizes greater than 500 m2. In addition, mandating rainwater tanks in new light industrial developments.
• Washing machine rebates ($150) for machines with a 4 star rating
• By opportunity (requiring Council approval) provide non-potable recycled water through dual pipe systems to adjacent new urban areas (1,600 lots over 30 years), and
• Promotion of on-site grey water systems and stormwater harvesting systems,

The increased Source Substitution will primarily reduce the forecast water demand through the use of reclaimed water and rainwater within new developments.

Council received 4 submissions from the public exhibition and community information sessions. The IWCM was revised to include the comments from the submissions and Council at its June meeting resolved to adopt the IWCM strategy.

A copy of the IWCM is available on the Publications page of our website.

An element of the IWCM of particular interest to customers of Shoalhaven Water is the availability of a washing machine rebate of $150 for washing machines purchased on or after 26 June 2008 which are a 4 star rating. For more information on applying for this rebate please visit “Special Offers” in the Saving Water pages of our website.

From 1st August the NSW Government will be offering an additional rebate. More information is contained in the Special Offers section of this site

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Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy
March 2008

Council resolved to exhibit the IWCM strategy at its February meeting (for a 6 week period) with the refined Increased Source Substitution (Scenario 3) over the Currently Planned (Scenario 2). This allows for all of the currently planned activities plus:-

• Mandatory rainwater tanks in new developments for lot sizes greater than 500 m2; this initiative will require changes to BASIX regulations. In addition, mandating rainwater tanks in new light industrial developments.
• Washing machine rebates ($150) for machines with a 4 star rating
• By opportunity (requiring Council approval) provide non-potable recycled water through dual pipe systems to adjacent new urban areas (1,600 lots over 30 years), and
• Promotion of on-site grey water systems and stormwater harvesting systems,

Increased Source Substitution will primarily reduce the forecast water demand through the use of reclaimed water and rainwater within new developments.

Next Steps

The next steps are:

• Publicly exhibit the Draft IWCM Strategy for 6 weeks (Starting the 4th of April)
• Hold community briefings in the north and south of the Shoalhaven City to outline the IWCM process, findings and the preferred scenario (6th and 7th of May).
• Report back the outcomes to Council for adoption (June council meeting)

During the public exhibition period community comments and questions will be recorded and, as appropriate, incorporated in the Strategy Report and reported back to Council.

Timeframe for Scenario Implementation

The IWCM Strategy is to be adopted by the end of June 2008 to achieve Best Practice Management. The timeframes for implementing the strategies, would depend on funding availability and extent of work involved.

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Rain boosts water supply
Nov 2007

The recent rainfall and the prospects of rain in the next three months have meant that water restrictions have been postponed. Council now have the City’s three dams at 98.5 per cent full, following two good weeks of rainfall into the city’s catchment area, stable flow above 180 megalitres a day in the Shoalhaven River and good prospects for rain in the next three months. Daily consumption is ranging from 45 to 50 megalitres per day however we will see an increase due to the holidays.

Shoalhaven Water urges residents and visitors to continue in the responsible and positive action to reduce water consumption. Residents and visitors can obtain more information on how to save water by contacting Shoalhaven Water’s Information Hotline 1300 66 22 46

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New water account targets water saving
Oct 2007

The introduction of the new-look water account has had an enthusiastic response from Shoalhaven residents wanting to do more to save water. With the new tools available you can now monitor your water consumption more closely and set targets to reduce your water usage. Click here for full details of the new account and how to get the most out of it.

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New State Government rainwater tank rebates announced
18 July 2007

The NSW State Government recently announced a new rainwater tank rebate scheme, which means that Shoalhaven City residents can now save up to $1000 off the cost of installing a new rainwater tank ($500 from the existing Shoalhaven Council scheme plus $500 from the new State Government scheme).

In addition residents can also apply for an extra rebate of up to $1150 from the NSW Government if their rainwater tank is connected by a licensed plumber to supply a toilet and a washing machine.

Councilor Greg Watson said: “The Council rainwater tank rebate has been a success since it was introduced in February 2005. Since we initiated the rebates there have been 426 rebates issued for rainwater tanks and 60 rebates for connecting rainwater tanks to toilets and / or washing machines,”

For full details on rebates available and how to apply for both the Shoalhaven Council rebate and the new State Government rebate click here or call Shoalhaven Water on (02) 4429 3515

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Council secures our water supply – an historic agreement
May 2007

After 4 years of negotiation with the State Government, Shoalhaven Council has brokered a landmark agreement that secures the City’s water supply for the next 30-50 years.

During 2004/2006 there were concerns raised by Council regarding a proposal to drastically change water transfers and environmental flow from the Shoalhaven River.  The major concern was that recommendations by the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Forum to the NSW State Government, if adopted, would have seen the City's water supply placed on more frequent and higher levels of water restrictions with a lack of long term water security.

The debate regarding the water transfers, environmental flow and the water supply for the Shoalhaven City was of extreme importance to the Community, and Council through negotiations with the NSW State Government sought particular outcomes.  A new water licence for the City's future extractions has now been agreed from the negotiations, securing the water supply for the City for the next thirty to fifty years.  

Additional information on the proposed Metropolitan Water Plan, the potential impact and the eventual resolution negotiated by Council can be found in the information brochures below.

• Sydney Metropolitan Water Plan – Background
• Sydney Metropolitan Water Plan – Impact
• Sydney Metropolitan Water Plan – Resolution

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