Attachment 2 - Economic Needs Assessment

 Year                            Revenue ($m)           Establishments (No.)       Employment (No.)

 2027-28                                  618                        2,348                    3,620

 2028-29                                  625                        2,354                    3,658

 AAGR, 2022-29 (%)                       1.3%                         0.7%                     0.6%
Source: IBISWorld (2022)


5.4 Benefits of Using a Commercial Car Wash
There are over 13 million vehicles in Australia and on average, a home car wash results in over 100
litres of wastewater, dirt and pollutants2. If collected and allowed to settle, a single home car wash
produces approximately 750ml of thick black oily sludge. It is estimated that in Melbourne or Sydney
alone, uncontrolled vehicle washing results in over two billion litres of untreated wastewater that
flows through the stormwater system into waterways that results in contamination levels up to 30
times higher than Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC)
guidelines for marine waters. Further, uncontrolled vehicle washing causes damage to the plants
and animals in freshwater creeks and rivers and in the surrounding coastline. Moreover, when soaps
and other solvents are used to clean cars, they dissolve not only dirt and grease into the wastewater
but also toxic surfactants, hydrocarbons and heavy metals such as copper, lead and zinc.
Using a commercial car wash is the best way to minimise the effects cleaning a car has on the
environment as most commercial car washes reuse waste water several times before sending it to a
treatment plant3. In a commercial, regulated car wash, all contaminated run-off goes through
special settlement pits to the sewer (commercial car washes must have a trade waste licence).
Waste water cannot run off into the stormwater systems which drain into rivers and bays.
Commercial car washes are also water efficient with high-pressure pumps and small nozzles on the
trigger guns (i.e. eco-friendly).
In line with higher real household discretionary income and higher average weekly hours worked,
consumers have been increasingly outsourcing household chores and activities over the past
decade, as busier lifestyles have increased demand for convenience. Although increased
outsourcing has mainly related to entertainment, food and personal services, demand also relates to
car washing services. Consumers have been more willing to pay to have their vehicles washed
outside of the home, placing greater value on maximising their leisure time.




2 ACWA (2021), The Environment, accessed at https://acwa.net.au/industry/the-environment/, on 30 April 2021

3 TRC (2020), How to wash your car and look after the environment, accessed at https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/environment-water-

waste/sustainable-living/home-garden-tips/8906-washing-your-car-and-the-environment, on 30 April 2021



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