Residential Rebate for Dual Flush Toilets
The Residential Dual Flush Toilet Rebate has closed due to the overwhelming successful take-up.
- In-store rebates direct through retailers ended as of 30 November 2012 and are no longer available.
- Applications for toilets purchased on or before Friday 7 December 2012 will still be honoured, but any purchases after this date will not be eligible.
- Applications for the rebate will be accepted up until Thursday 28 February 2013.
- Plumbers purchasing toilets on behalf of applicants must show proof of purchase from the retailer on or before Friday 7 December 2012.
Council apologises for any inconvenience due to the early completion of the Residential Dual Flush Toilet Rebate. The unprecedented support for the program has resulted in Council spending some $400,000 on the rebate to replace around 2000 toilets since its launch on 15 October. Unfortunately the program’s budget has now been exceeded and it must be wound up.
Rebates will only be paid for applications lodged within six (6) months from the date of toilet purchase and replacement.
What was the rebate or refund for?
Tweed Shire Council is offering a water saving rebate on new dual flush toilets to households connected to the town water supply. Whether you are a home owner, tenant or landlord this is your opportunity to save money and reduce your water use.
The Rebate or refund is available for new dual flush toilet suites (pan and cistern) purchased and installed in existing residential homes, plus the associated installation costs.
Depending on your existing toilet, a 4-star WELS rated toilet uses up to 65 per cent less water. For the average household, this means a total saving of around 30,000 litres of water every year. That’s a possible saving of $60 per year, based on current water usage charges.
Who can apply?
- Tweed Shire households connected to the town water supply
- Tweed Shire home owners, occupiers or landlords
- Authorised managing agents of properties where toilets are installed
- Tenants, but the owner or authorised managing agent will need to sign the Application Form
How much is the rebate?
The rebate is up to a maximum of $200 per toilet suite (cistern and pan), including installation.
A limit of two (2) dual flush toilet suites can be claimed per customer account i.e. for each residential property or household. This means a maximum total rebate of $400 per property or household.
When does the rebate offer start and finish?
The Residential Dual Flush Toilet Rebate has closed due to the overwhelming successful take-up. In-store rebates direct through retailers ended as of 30 November 2012 and are no longer available. Applications for toilets purchased on or before Friday 7 December 2012 will still be honoured, but any purchases after this date will not be eligible. Applications for the rebate will be accepted up until Thursday 28 February 2013. Plumbers purchasing toilets on behalf of applicants must show proof of purchase from the retailer on or before Friday 7 December 2012.
It was always a condition of the rebate that the program could be closed before 30 June 2013 if the allocated budget for the rebate was exhausted. Council apologises for any inconvenience due to the early completion of the Residential Dual Flush Toilet Rebate. The unprecedented support for the program has resulted in Council spending some $400,000 on the rebate to replace around 2000 toilets since its launch on 15 October 2012. Unfortunately the program’s budget has now been exceeded and it must be wound up.
What toilets are eligible for the rebate?
The existing toilet which is replaced must be a single flush toilet or an outdated dual flush toilet with a full flush of 9 litres or more and half flush of 4.5 litres or more.
The new dual flush toilet must be 4-star WELS rated where WELS is the national Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. The 4-star WELS rating generally means that the toilet uses 3 litres per half flush and 4.5 litres per full flush.
The Application Form must clearly show the make and model of installed toilets so that the WELS ratings can be verified.
The whole toilet suite (pan and cistern) must be replaced with a whole new dual flush suite (pan and cistern).
For more information about the WELS ratings of specific toilets, visit the WELS website.
What other conditions are there?
- The property where the new dual flush toilet(s) is/are installed must be a residential property connected to the Tweed Shire Council water supply system.
- The refund is for the replacement of toilets in existing premises. It does not cover toilets installed in new dwellings or major renovations that are subject to the NSW Government’s BASIX requirements.
- Since the rebate involves the installation of new fixtures in the home, applicants for the rebate must be either the owner or authorised managing agent of the property where the toilet(s) is/are being installed. Tenants are able to initiate the work by informing their landlords or property managers, who will need to apply for the rebate and sign the Application Form.
- All toilet replacement work and associated plumbing must be carried out by a licensed plumber. This is to ensure that toilets are installed correctly and perform as expected. The application form includes a declaration by the plumber which must be signed, dated and returned to Council by the applicant.
- The applicant is encouraged to seek the professional opinion of the licensed plumber prior to purchasing the toilet as to whether the sanitary (sewerage) plumbing in the home will operate satisfactorily at the lower flush volumes used by the new toilet.
- In the case of multi-unit dwellings and complexes where the units or homes are not individually metered by Council, the owners of individual units/dwellings can still claim up to two (2) dual flush toilet rebates provided they are a residential strata titled complex and they each pay water access charges.
- Rebates will only be paid for applications lodged within six (6) months from the date of toilet purchase and replacement.
- The rebate must be refunded if the toilet(s) is/are returned or exchanged within twelve (12) months. This also applies to toilets that are found by the plumber and/or applicant to be incompatible with the sanitary (sewerage) plumbing in the home and do not operate satisfactorily at the lower flush volumes used by the new toilet.
- The rebate must be refunded if the plumber’s declaration for the associated toilet suite installation is not returned to Council within one (1) month of the corresponding rebate application.
- Council may audit the premises to verify that the new toilet(s) has/have been installed satisfactorily.
- Council may contact the applicant for promotional purposes.
Where can I purchase eligible toilet suites?
Toilet suites can be purchased from any plumbing retailer or through the licensed plumber engaged to carry out the replacement work.
In-store rebates direct through retailers ended as of 30 November 2012 and are no longer available. All toilets purchased by applicants and/or plumbers on behalf of applicants, must supply proof of purchase on or before Friday 7 December 2012.
How do I claim my rebate if I purchase the toilet/s somewhere else?
You can also purchase the toilet/s from any other retailer (in Tweed Shire or not) or your plumber and have it installed by any licensed plumber. Application Forms are available from any toilet retailer in the Shire, plumbers, Council offices and as a download on Council’s website. Once the work is completed, you will need to send the completed and signed Application Form, including the plumber’s declaration, to Council with copies of all receipts and/or paid accounts/invoices for the toilet/s and installation.
What if I am a landlord or real estate/managing agent?
Where the property is a rental property, the real estate/managing agent is likely to engage the plumber who will supply and install the toilet/s, and then invoice the agent. In such cases the real estate/managing agent will usually apply for the rebate on the owner’s behalf and sign the Application Form. The agent will need to supply proof of authority to act on behalf of the owner by way of a copy of the Tenancy Agreement or a letter testifying the same. This should be sent to Council along with the completed Application Form and relevant receipts/accounts.
Where can I get an Application Form?
- Download a copy from the Available Downloads section at the top of this page
- By calling Council on (02) 6670 2400
- In person at Council's Murwillumbah office located at the Civic and Cultural Centre, Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah
- In person at Council's Tweed Heads office located at the Tweed Civic and Cultural Centre, Brett St, Tweed Heads
Where do I send the completed Application Form?
Please return the completed Application Form with copies of all relevant receipts and paid accounts/invoices to:
Toilet Rebate
Tweed Shire Council
PO Box 816
MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484
Or deliver in person to Council offices located at the Civic and Cultural Centre, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah or Tweed Civic and Cultural Centre, Brett Street, Tweed Heads
How and when will my rebate be paid?
The rebate of up to $200 per toilet suite will be paid either:
- as a cheque and sent to the postal address nominated by the applicant, upon receipt of the application form by Council and verification of eligibility; or
- as a deduction from the purchase price of the toilet suite at the point of sale, after verifying eligibility, by retailers that have agreed to provide this service.
Where can I get more information?
Contact Council on (02) 6670 2400 or tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
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