Saving Water, Saving $$$

An Initiative by Hon. Dr Brian Walker MLC and Legalise Cannabis WA Party

Introducing the $20 Million Water Saving Fund

On 28 October 2024, Hon. Dr Brian Walker MLC, Member for East Metropolitan Region and Legalise Cannabis WA Party representative, announced an exciting new environmental initiative at the Naragebup (Rockingham Regional Environment Centre) Open Day. This proposal commits the Legalise Cannabis WA Party to establish a $20 million Water Saving Fund, aimed at helping home builders install sustainable water-saving technologies across Western Australia.

Why Water Matters in WA

Water is one of Western Australia's most valuable and scarce resources. Yet, every day, thousands of litres of perfectly good drinking water are wasted through toilets alone. The average Australian household flushes between 30,000 and 100,000 litres of water down the drain annually—a critical waste in our dry state.

Dr Walker highlighted this at the event, saying:

"Water is one of the most valuable and scarce resources in WA, yet every day we flush thousands of litres of perfectly good drinking water down our toilets."

The Water Saving Fund: How it Works

The Water Saving Fund is designed to encourage innovation in new residential builds by offering grants to offset the cost of installing water-saving systems. Grants will be available to both professional builders and self-builders. Here's a breakdown of the grant structure:

  • Up to $1,000 for the installation of dry toilets.
  • Up to $2,000 for grey water management systems.
  • A maximum total grant of $4,000 per residential build.

By adopting these systems, a household can significantly reduce its water consumption:

  • A dry toilet can save up to 9 litres per flush or 15,000 litres per year—equivalent to filling 100 full bath tubs.
  • Grey water management systems can reduce water usage by up to 30%. When combined with rainwater plumbing, savings can reach 50%.

This initiative isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about saving money as well. As Dr Walker explained:

"The cost of living crisis is putting pressure on households across the state. This relatively small change, encouraging builders to innovate, will not only save water, but has the potential to save ordinary Western Australians money each and every quarter."

Part of a Bigger Picture: Cannabis Legalisation & Economic Diversification

This proposal is just one part of the Legalise Cannabis WA Party’s broader vision for a more sustainable and prosperous Western Australia. The Water Saving Fund will be funded by an estimated $1.25 billion in additional revenue generated through the legalisation and regulation of cannabis for adult use.

Dr Walker and the Legalise Cannabis WA Party believe that legalising cannabis can revitalise and diversify WA’s economy, benefitting all citizens, whether they partake or not:

"We see the potential that hemp and cannabis have to revitalise and diversify our economy, and that is something we want each and every citizen of WA to benefit from," said Dr Walker.

Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future

The Legalise Cannabis WA Party is dedicated to improving the lives of Western Australians through innovative environmental and economic policies. We encourage you to join us in this journey by learning more about our policies, volunteering, and supporting our campaign as we approach the March 2025 state election.

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