TasWater offers small business support on trade waste clean-up

TasWater has modified elements of its trade waste program to help Tasmanian owned small business operators meet environmental compliance with their trade waste in a more affordable manner.
The revision follows feedback from customers and Owner Councils as well as comments presented to the Legislative Council hearings into TasWater ownership.
“Various submissions regarding trade waste came from small businesses like bakeries, restaurants, motels and cafes. They all told similar stories, that they cared about the environment but had difficulty with the timeframes and cost of meeting legislated standards,” TasWater Chairman Miles Hampton said.
“Trade waste has a huge impact on our ability to meet sewage compliance standards, but from this feedback we recognised the need to review how we could achieve compliance and also help our customers.
“We still need to ensure we secure full compliance as soon as possible. This is to protect the public, our staff and the environment. We take these obligations seriously.
“We also realise that any change to our approach has to be fair to both those who have already achieved accepted standards and to those who are yet do so.”
TasWater will take a number of steps to minimise the financial impact on small businesses that have yet to comply.
This will include the introduction of a zero interest loan scheme, development of a preferred supplier arrangement for plumbing contractors, and negotiation of a customer discount scheme for major equipment.
For small business customers in Category 2 that are already fully trade waste compliant and who do not use the loan scheme, TasWater will discount trade waste fixed charges by 10 per cent for four years.
Mr Hampton said the loan scheme will provide a more flexible pathway for eligible small businesses to achieve compliance in the targeted timeframe.
“These changes mean that we can still promote environmental and safety standards accepted Australia-wide while offering a more flexible pathway for our customers.” said Mr Hampton.
The anticipated commencement date is 1 July 2018.
As this scheme is further developed we will seek feedback from our customers to identify other issues and initiatives that ensure we are all better placed to meet our environmental obligations.
More information will be sent directly to TasWater’s trade waste customers in the coming weeks and we encourage those people interested in accessing the loan scheme to contact TasWater on 13 6992.
asWater Chairman Miles Hampton