A major front page article in the Business section of The Age on Monday 5^th March  featured extensive statements from the Water Minister’s advisor and spokesman, including:

“the State Government was investigating an incentive system for industry…. which would reward businesses that save water..”

“…car washes could continue under stage four restrictions if they met the water-saving guidelines and were able to show a rating of four or five stars under the Government’s car wash water saving rating scheme”

This stance was echoed by various key people who were communicating with ACWA, on the basis that this industry had done everything it had been asked to do to self-regulate and achieve Best Practice in minimising water use for the washing of vehicles.

It was therefore with some dismay that we listened to the announcement on Thursday 22^nd March which, while enabling 4 and 5 star car washes to stay open in metro Melbourne for a few more months under a new level of Stage 3A, did nothing to change the Stage 4 restrictions throughout the entire State.  Our long term future remained as uncertain as ever.

In talking with our contacts, it seems that calling the changes 3A was a last minute political decision and we have been encouraged to pick ourselves up and keep lobbying strongly.  We realise that all Victorian car wash owners must be feeling very disappointed that we have not been able to remove the sword hanging over our heads, but we should be heartened by the singling out of this industry in Stage 3A to enable 4 and 5 star rated washes to stay open at least until August.

We have sent a strongly worded response to all involved both in government and the water authorities and are starting a new round of discussions.   We need nothing less than a permanent modification of the stage 4 restrictions for the 4 and 5 star water efficient washes, so that this industry can remain viable and secure and invest in the future.  Your individual contacts with local MPs certainly helped and it would not harm to go back again to push for a permanent change to the regulations.  Some key points we have made are..  

·          Our industry directly employs 3,600 Victorians.  These employees face uncertainty of employment and have to make decisions to protect their own financial future

·          Our industry has invested $500 million in Victoria in retail and manufacturing businesses.  It is a small business industry with an average of $1.5m invested in each site.

·          The development is industry specific and site improvements cannot be used for any other business – so if the car wash is closed, the asset value is destroyed.  No bank or other financial institution will allow continued exposure in a business under these conditions.  It is not a business that can close down for a few months and then re-open again.

·          Alternative water supplies are not the answer, creating more problems than they solve in both pillaging the ground water supplies and in traffic and site congestion problems.

·          Although it might look good on paper to only allow 5 star car washes to stay open under Stage 4 restrictions, this is not the answer.  Under current technology this would close down all but the major petroleum company brush automatics and a handful of hand washes.  90% of the wash bays are 4-star self-serve or touchless automatic.

·          This industry uses only 0.25% of total industrial water use – if all other industries were challenged to make just 1% in water efficiencies, that would save FOUR times as much water as the entire car wash industry uses in a year.

---

 Helping You Save Water

The Car Wash Water Saver Rating Scheme

You’ll be able to choose a car wash that uses less drinking water, so you can save water every time you wash your car.

5 star	An excellent level of water efficiency
4 star	A very high level of water efficiency
3 star	A high level of water efficiency
2 star	A good level of water efficiency
1 star	A moderate level of water efficiency
Not rated	Water efficiency too low to be rated under the Scheme

4 and 5 star commercial car washes use less water then washing at home. 3 star car washes compare favourably with home washing.

What’s more, all commercial car washes displaying a Car Wash Water Saver Rating dispose of their waste water responsibly. This means that wash water won’t end up polluting our precious waterways.

The Car Wash Water Saver Rating Scheme makes it easy for everyone to play a role in conserving water. If 25 per cent of car owners nationally washed their cars ten times per year at a participating four or five star car wash, then more than six hundred million litres of water could be saved each year.