Media Release: BIGGER WATER CONCESSIONS FOR LOW-INCOME VICTORIANS

FROM THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

DATE: Tuesday, July 1, 2008

BIGGER WATER CONCESSIONS FOR LOW-INCOME VICTORIANS

Low-income Victorians have access to one of the most comprehensive concessions packages available in Australia under a new range of concessions coming into effect from today.

Community Services Minister Lisa Neville said the water and sewerage concession cap increased by 19.6 per cent and will continue to be reviewed annually in line with inflation. This concession provides a 50 per cent discount on water bills, up to the new limit of $189.70, and will benefit 632,000 households.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure that low-income families can get cheaper access to essential services,” Ms Neville said.

“We have allocated an additional $41.3 million to enhance our water and sewerage concessions programs and will continue to monitor this, and a range of other concessions, to ensure that low-income Victorians get the support they need into the future.”

The Home Wise: Appliance and Infrastructure Grant, formerly known as the Capital Grant Scheme, has now been expanded from 1 July to enable eligible customers to apply for one grant every five years, or two grants simultaneously every 10 years.

“Under the old system, eligible customers could only receive one grant a lifetime,” Ms Neville said.

“This change will help low-income Victorians to purchase essential appliances, such as washing machines or refrigerators.”

In addition, households of five or more people, where the bill payer holds a concession card, will be able to apply for a grant to install ceiling insulation.

The Appliance and Infrastructure Grant will pay for the entire cost of replacing the appliance or installing insulation.

Further concessions will be expanded over the coming six months, as announced in the 08/09 budget, and new initiatives include the WaterWise program that will provide free water audits and retrofits to low-income households up to the value of $500.

Ms Neville said these programs were specifically designed to help concession card-holders become more energy efficient.