❓ Hon George Cash questions the Minister about water conservation labelling, referencing concerns raised by Doust Plumbing Products regarding consumer satisfaction and comprehensive appliance ratings. The Minister's response details technical specifications, scheme management changes, and government support for the national rating system.
AnsweredQoN 1856Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the recent letter to the editor in the journal ‘Plumbing and Mechanical Connection’ in which the Managing Director of Doust Plumbing Products, Mr Phillip Doust advocated, that in addition to a current voluntary water efficiency labelling scheme, water conservation should not just be about water rationing, rather, it should be about the ‘comfort factor’ ie. the efficient use of water without necessarily sacrificing consumer satisfaction?
(2) In the article Mr Doust further asked the question ‘why is the labelling of washing machines not judged on the total amount of power, water and electricity that it consumes for the wash-load. It would be reasonable to suggest that the machine’s total cycle time, cleaning, performance, etc also be considered. This type of labelling would encourage manufacturers to invest in technologies that would greatly advance product performance levels from the customer perspective. Water conservation is not water rationing - it should be defined as the amount of water saved while the consumer completes the task to their satisfaction. What action is the Minister or the Water Corporation taking to ensure consumers are well informed and able to drive real improvements in a national water conservation labelling system?
(2) In the article Mr Doust further asked the question ‘why is the labelling of washing machines not judged on the total amount of power, water and electricity that it consumes for the wash-load. It would be reasonable to suggest that the machine’s total cycle time, cleaning, performance, etc also be considered. This type of labelling would encourage manufacturers to invest in technologies that would greatly advance product performance levels from the customer perspective. Water conservation is not water rationing - it should be defined as the amount of water saved while the consumer completes the task to their satisfaction. What action is the Minister or the Water Corporation taking to ensure consumers are well informed and able to drive real improvements in a national water conservation labelling system?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 May 2004
Responded by
Minister for Government Enterprises
Response time
35 days
The spread angle of the spray pattern shall be less than eight degrees and any drop in temperature below the showerhead between the distance 150mm and 750mm must be not more than three degrees. Additional comfort measurements are under consideration. It should be noted that management of the current voluntary scheme is in the process of being taken over by Environment Australia and in the 2005/2006 financial year the scheme will become mandatory. With regard to the reference concerning the energy rating of washing machines, it is mandatory for all washing machines to carry an energy rating label. It should be noted that generally front loading washing machines are rated as being more energy efficient than top loading ones. The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
It should be noted that management of the current voluntary scheme is in the process of being taken over by Environment Australia and in the 2005/2006 financial year the scheme will become mandatory. With regard to the reference concerning the energy rating of washing machines, it is mandatory for all washing machines to carry an energy rating label. It should be noted that generally front loading washing machines are rated as being more energy efficient than top loading ones. The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
With regard to the reference concerning the energy rating of washing machines, it is mandatory for all washing machines to carry an energy rating label. It should be noted that generally front loading washing machines are rated as being more energy efficient than top loading ones. The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
It should be noted that management of the current voluntary scheme is in the process of being taken over by Environment Australia and in the 2005/2006 financial year the scheme will become mandatory. With regard to the reference concerning the energy rating of washing machines, it is mandatory for all washing machines to carry an energy rating label. It should be noted that generally front loading washing machines are rated as being more energy efficient than top loading ones. The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
With regard to the reference concerning the energy rating of washing machines, it is mandatory for all washing machines to carry an energy rating label. It should be noted that generally front loading washing machines are rated as being more energy efficient than top loading ones. The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
The Government fully supports the National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme as illustrated by the requirement that products which are part of the Government’s Waterwise Rebate program and are able to be rated under the 5A scheme must be rated at 3A or better.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.