The Rainwater and Septic Tank Replacement Program (the program) will support households that have lost or significantly damaged rainwater and/or septic tanks on their primary place of residence as a result of the Eastern Victorian Fires that have occurred since 21 November 2019.

Applications are open until 31 May 2025 at 5pm

The program will support households impacted by the 2019-20 Eastern Victorian Fires to have:

• safe access to usable water,
• safe disposal of wastewater, and
• reduce the financial burden of rebuilding.

Support will be provided to eligible households who:

Are unable to connect to reticulated water systems and:

• whose primary use rainwater tanks and septic systems were damaged or destroyed in the bushfires and require repair, replacement, or installation of a new system
• whose primary use rainwater tanks and septic systems require reconnections or minor work to become operational again

OR are able to connect to reticulated water (mains or sewerage) systems but need to cover:

• work to reconnect to the system, or
• reconnection fees charged by their local water corporations

Further support is available for households who:

• require a water tank for firefighting purposes, or
• need to install the appropriate outlets to an existing water tank as part of the requirement under the Bushfire Management Overlay

The intended program outcomes support:

• the repair, replacement or installation of primary use rainwater and septic tanks on impacted properties and
• to build longer term resilience and sustainability for households through the provision of rainwater tank and septic systems that meet current Australian standards.

The program does not intend to take the ongoing responsibility of domestic wastewater management from Local Government.

Funding:

The program will provide up to $25,500 of support for the following:

Up to half the cost of the purchase and installation of a:

• New primary use rainwater tank system for homes that have had their source of non-reticulated (water mains) primary use water supply impacted by the bushfires, up to a maximum of $3,000
• New water tank for firefighting purposes, or the installations of appropriate outlets to your current water tank, for homes impacted by the bushfires, up to a maximum of $3,000
• New primary use septic tank system for homes impacted by the bushfires, up to a maximum of $15,000

The full cost of:

• The initial refill of the rainwater tank specifically installed as part of this program, up to a maximum cap of $500
• Any combination of assessments required to get council approval to install or alter a septic system including condition reports undertaken by a qualified plumber and Land Capability Assessments, up to a maximum of $1,500
• Any minor repairs or reconnections required, up to a maximum of $2,500: if the tank systems are undamaged and comply with current standards; or any work or reconnection fees required to reconnect to a reticulated (water mains or sewerage) system.

The program will also cover relevant associated costs including: the purchase of rainwater or septic tank system, associated plumbing and materials connected to system, installation costs and delivery changes – up to the maximum outlined above.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the program, you must be the owner of a dwelling that:

• Was/is in the municipalities of either East Gippsland Shire or Towong Shire
• Was destroyed or severely damaged because of the 2019-20 Eastern Victorian Fires which commenced on 21 November 2019
• Is on a site that has been registered with the relevant Bushfire Rebuild Support Service (RSS) in your municipality.

You must also be:

• Rebuilding your dwelling either on the same property or on another site within the same municipality
• Have sought funds through any available insurance arrangement prior to seeking assistance from the Program.
• Are either not on a reticulated (water mains or sewerage) system and:
  • Require a rainwater tank and/or septic system for primary use; and/or
  • Require a water tank for firefighting purposes or need to install the appropriate outlets to your current water tank to conform with a Bushfire Management Planning Overlay; and/or
  • Require minor reconnections or repairs to your current tank system
• OR are on a reticulated (water mains or sewerage) system and:
  • Require a water tank for firefighting purposes or need to install the appropriate outlets to your current water tank to conform with a Bushfire Management Planning Overlay; and/or
  • Are required to cover the costs of works or fees to reconnect to your local water corporation’s reticulated (water mains or sewerage) system.
• Able to provide the relevant mandatory supporting documentation as outlined in What supporting documents do I need to provide?

In addition, to be eligible for support you must:

• Ensure all rainwater and/or septic tanks are designed, manufactured, and certified to the relevant Australian Standards and installation complies with current building standards as outlined in Compliance requirements for rainwater tanks and septic systems section
• Seek and comply with relevant approvals including: a permit to install/alter a septic tank; Land Capability Assessment; and Planning Permit from their local council.
• Ensure you use an appropriately licensed and accredited plumber when required as outlined in Compliance requirements for rainwater tanks and septic system s section.

• Phone: 03 8622 7601
• Email: recovery.rebates@deeca.vic.gov.au