1. Check the Eligibility Criteria 

Review the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions in the guidelines for your chosen sustainable product. To be eligible to receive a rebate, your sustainable product must be installed from the 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2024.  

2. Purchase and install your sustainable product 

Purchase your sustainable product from the rebates options available and install using a licensed tradesperson. Ensure that you have met the eligibility criteria for your chosen product.

3. Complete the application process

Complete the application process including all documents/images requested. This will assist to verify your eligibility to participate in the program. Click 'Apply Now' to submit your application.

4. Receive your Sustainability Rebate 

Rebates are subject to the approval process and availability. If your form is approved by Council you will receive your sustainability rebate via electronic bank transfer. Add [email protected] to your email contacts to ensure you receive your claim status updates. 

Shellharbour City Council has developed guidelines to outline the rebate program's eligibility criteria and application process. It also includes the following terms and conditions. 

Terms and Conditions

General

• Council reserves the right to make changes to Sustainability Rebates Program at any time, including (but not limited to), the available budget, the application opening and closing dates, and the sustainable products' rebates and criteria.
• Sustainable products must remain installed at the applicant property for at least five years.
• The application must be completed as required in the Rebately application. This includes attaching all mandatory attachments.
• A property cannot receive more than one rebate for the same sustainable product within a five year period.

Sustainability Rebate Payment

• If an application is approved by Council, the applicant will receive payment of their respective sustainability rebate via electronic bank transfer to the applicant's preferred back account within 14 days of final approval.
• Sustainability rebates will be prioritised in application date order.
• Payment of sustainability rebate is not guaranteed and is subject to the approval process and availability of grant funding. Payment of the sustainability rebate is only confirmed once final approval has been granted.
• If an applicant is found to have breached these guidelines in the first 24 months after the application was approved, then the applicant must repay the rebate and cannot submit an application for a further 24 months from the date of the initial application.
• The sustainability rebate amount cannot exceed 50% of the cost paid by the applicant for the sustainable product post any financial incentives (as shown on the invoice). If this does occur, the sustainability rebate will be matched to 50% of the cost paid by the applicant for the sustainable product (as shown on the invoice).

Maximum Rebate 

• The maximum rebate is the total financial amount that an applicant property can receive from the Sustainability Rebates Program each financial year.
• Applicant properties can receive multiple sustainability rebates up until the maximum rebate has been reached.
• The maximum rebate is $2000 per property per financial year

Warranties and Faulty Products

• The applicant acknowledges and agrees that Council accepts no liability in respect of any claim, cause of action or loss or damage arising out of, or in relation to, any sustainable product procured under the Sustainability Rebates Program, or the consumption or use of any electricity that is the subject of the sustainable product.
• Any issues which occur due to the purchasing of any sustainable product must be resolved between the applicant and the sustainable product provider based on the advertised warranties and standard service provisions of the sustainable products involved.
• All sustainable products must be provided and/or installed by licenced professionals.

Data and Reporting  

• Applicants of the sustainability rebates must agree to be contacted by Council throughout and following the application process for purposes of surveys and reporting.
• Any program case studies which are prepared by Council will require permission from the applicant before any specific information related to individuals or properties is made public.
• Council will not share applicant information with any other organisation other than for the purposes of directly administering the application, assessment and awarding of the grants and rebates.
• Council makes use of a managed service provider to provide the grants administration platform which is provided by REBATELY PTY LTD.
• Applicant details are not disclosed to the public as a matter of public record.
• The information in your application is collected by Shellharbour City Council for the purpose of processing your rebate application. Your personal information will be used by Council staff for the purpose of evaluating your eligibility to receive a rebate. All Council held information is subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and associated regulations. If you wish to make an enquiry regarding information held by Council, please email [email protected] or contact Customer Service on 4221 6111.

On-Site Verification

• To maintain integrity of the Sustainability Rebates Program, Council will undertake on-site verifications for some of the sustainable products installed.
• During an on-site verification, a Council officer will enter an applicant property to verify that a sustainable product has been installed in accordance with its relevant eligibility criteria.
• A suitable time for an on-site verification will be arranged with applicants before the visit. All applicants of the Sustainability Rebates Program must agree to give permission for Council staff to enter the applicant property for the purpose of an on-site verification.

Small Environmental Projects Fund Budget

• Council’s SEPF started in 2000/01, providing financial assistance to a variety of local community groups, schools and childcare centres to deliver sustainability projects and environmental education.
• The Sustainability Rebates Program is funded by Council's Small Environmental Projects Fund which has a 2023/24 rebate budget of approximately $25,000.
• This budget can be adjusted subject to Council approval.

Council Staff Applications 

• Council staff are eligible to receive sustainability rebates if they meet the eligibility criteria of the program.
• Applicants who are also Council staff cannot be involved in the assessment of their application.

Dispute Resolution

 Council, applicants and sustainable product providers will attempt in good faith to resolve via negotiations any dispute or claim arising out of or in relation to the sustainability rebates and these guidelines.

Disposal of Old Products

• Old products such as used hot water systems should be disposed of responsibly by either the sustainable product installer or the applicant.
• Visit Dunmore Recycling & Waste Disposal Depot to see if your old products can be recycled. The Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot is located at 44 Buckleys Road, Dunmore.