Australia’s climate can be harsh, with very hot summers and periodic droughts. Rural areas are affected more severely, but even in large urban centres like Brisbane the effects of droughts and water scarcity will be felt.

If you are living in Brisbane and you do not have a rainwater tank, you must be a visitor! Or perhaps you are simply unaware of the local restrictions on water usage. Water restrictions are often applied in summer at a time when a region’s water supplies are running low. The local and state authorities in Brisbane have often imposed water restrictions during the summer.

As a result of these restrictions people in Brisbane have devised other ways to obtain enough water. The most popular way to do this is the installation of rainwater tanks.These measures are supposed to help solve the problem of water scarcity, especially during summer. These collect rainwater and store it until it is needed. Some of these can store up to 50,000 litres of water or as little as 200. It all depends on the size of your budget and your property, as well as what you need the water for.

sts5000l

This is a 5,000 litre slimline water tank. Slimline water tanks have a more narrow width dimension than small round tanks – that’s why they are better for houses and apartments.

Before 2014, all new houses in were built to allow for the installation of rainwater tanks and everyone planning renovations had to install one. The demand for rainwater tanks in Brisbane has increased even though installing a rainwater tank in every new house is no longer mandatory. The chief reason for this is that the has increased both for the government and the consumer. Brisbane residents are well aware that a drought can return at any time.

Generally there is no need to obtain a planning approval for a rainwater tank. If your rainwater tank does not trigger the requirements of a planning approval, you may still require building approval. Advice should be sought from an accredited building certifier regarding the approval of your rainwater tank.

Other Zones
If your proposed rainwater tank project is not in a residential zone, contact Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888 for advice specific to your situation.Development, other than for a house, in the Bushfire overlay area in Brisbane City Plan 2014 is subject to the requirements of the Bushfire overlay code. Sites that do not have access to reticulated water supply with enough water pressure for fire-fighting may need to meet minimum requirements for on-site water storage. This water supply needs to be set aside separately from other water supplies so it is available for fire-fighting at all times.

Rainwater Tanks Direct is one of the leading online retailers which provide quality brands of water tanks in Brisbane. Their range includes different types of tanks, suitable for different applications:
1. Small rainwater tanks
2. Large rainwater tanks
3. Slimline rainwater tanks
4. Under deck rainwater tanks
5. Bladder rainwater tanks
6. Underground poly rainwater tank
7. Underground concrete rainwater tanks

All of the above tanks are made in different shapes, colors and sizes. Small, large and slimline tanks are made in poly or corrugated steel. Under deck tanks are made from poly only. Small and slimline rainwater tanks store fewer litres than large tanks.