Water rebate for Busselton

Busselton public housing tenants will have access to a Busselton Water rebate as of next month.

Eligible tenants can claim up to 50 per cent for the first 350 kilolitres of water used each year.

Residents who hold a Pensioner Concession Card, State Concession Card or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are urged to check their eligibility.

The Department of Communities estimates about 500 tenancies may be eligible for water rebates.

Minister for Water Dave Kelly said he was “staggered” to learn the rebate to public housing tenants serviced by the Water Corporation didn’t already apply to Busselton Water customers, but he was proud to extend the program.

“This new rebate complements a range of other programs introduced since March, 2017 to help people with medical conditions, in long-term outstanding debt or experiencing a temporary loss of income,” Mr Kelly said.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, who wrote to the minister in July, 2017 after learning Busselton Water tenants were missing out, applauded Mr Kelly’s move and suggested the rebate be extended to Dunsborough residents.

“Busselton Water is a Government trading enterprise and provides some of the best-value water delivery in the State, particularly compared to the Water Corporation, meaning that Busselton residents pay considerably less than Dunsborough residents,” she said.

“The previous (Liberal-National) government supported Busselton Water’s business plan to transfer Water Corporation Dunsborough water supply assets to Busselton Water, which would mean lower cost of service and further downward pressure on water prices benefiting Dunsborough households,” she said.