Hundreds of households across the western plains may be eligible to apply for a generous subsidy on a brand new washing machine thanks to a pilot program announced last week.

The state government program is designed to help low-income residents across the state reduce living costs while boosting water and energy efficiency.

Tenants living in Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) housing located in one of 43 LGAs across the state are eligible to apply.

This includes those in each of the 11shires which make up the Western Plains App licence area so residents in the Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Narromine, Walgett, Warren and Warrumbungles shires can take part.

Successful applicants in the pilot program can choose between four sizes of machines, and will pay a corresponding fee of $150, $200 or $250.

“Every drop of water counts. While we’re not in drought now, we could be again, and it’s never too soon to start saving and being more mindful about our water use,” Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said. 

“This NSW Government initiative will replace old top loader washing machines with new front loaders, which are more water and electricity efficient, and could save an estimated 25,000 litres of water each year per machine."

A spokesperson from the Department of Planning and Environment said the department worked closely with the LALC and the AHO to co-design the pilot program and promote it through text messages to 45,000 social housing tenants and a letter box drop to 10,000 properties across the state.

Despite the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council being a manager for countless social housing accommodations across regional NSW, tenants living in properties owned by that organisation are not eligible to take part in the pilot.

However, Assets Manager for the Coonamble LALCl Damien 'Munro' Martin said they do also manage houses on behalf of AHO and LAHC which would be eligible.

"Of the houses we manage in Coonamble, we own 46 and probably about 40-60 AHO ones and a couple of LAHC ones," Mr Martin said.

"I think a lot of our tenants could benefit from this - the first ones to come to mind would be the ones who have older machines which have either broken down or use a lot of water and power."

Following a competitive tender process, national electronics retailer The Good Guys was selected as the sole retail partner for the pilot and this has raised questions among stakeholders in regions where the franchise does not have a presence.

While she was complimentary about the idea of the scheme, Business NSW's Regional Manager for Western NSW Vicki Seccombe said it would have been great to see a local business be picked instead of a national chain.

"I understand the government would have to find a partner that covers all of NSW, but it would have been great to pick some local partners in western NSW to help with the rollout of the program," Ms Seccombe said.

"If you think about the total costs of one of these washing machines, say around $600, and about four or five washing machines are then allocated to one community, that would be a lot of money for a local business to miss out on. It all adds up, especially during COVID recovery."

According to the government, having more suppliers would make the trial more expensive to run and therefore reduce the number of households who could participate.

Unlike a previous similar scheme which did not include delivery beyond 150 kilometres or disposal of old appliances, forcing those costs onto the tenants, this latest program will ensure those loose ends are taken care of.

A department spokesperson clarified that the new program includes delivery of the new machine and removal and recycling of the old one for any successful applicant regardless of where they were located in NSW.

Applications to be part of the pilot close on Thursday 30 June, or when all appliances are allocated.

However, if the trial is successful, the Department of Planning and Environment says they will consider expanding the program across the state.

For more information on the pilot, eligibility and to apply click here.