The commencement of the Queensland Container Refund Scheme (CRS) has been pushed back until November 1 2018.
Hon Leeanne Enoch MP, the Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Arts announced the postponement and highlighted the importance of learning from the NSW experience of rolling out their Container Deposit Scheme.
“Extending the timeframe for the scheme’s introduction was requested by stakeholders to ensure Queensland did not run into the same roll-out issues experienced in New South Wales when its scheme started 1 December last year,” she said.
The Queensland scheme was due to commence on 1 July.
What’s the NSW story?
- It has been widely reported that the NSW scheme has been impacted by considerable challenges with the placement of container facilities in locations not suited for these types of facilities and over-riding council planning approvals.
- Littering of ineligible containers adjacent to these facilities have also created a range of ongoing issues for NSW councils.
- The LGAQ has foreshadowed many of the issues currently being experienced by NSW with the size and scale of some collection facilities creating amenity challenges for local communities.
What's next for Queensland councils?
- The LGAQ is working with the State Government to ensure we find the right balance between appropriately regulating these facilities and promoting recycling.
- The LGAQ continues to work as a member of the CRS Advisory group to ensure all outstanding concerns are resolved prior to the commencement of the Queensland scheme and acknowledges the importance of having an effective communication strategy providing clear and frequent messaging to residents and key stakeholders leading up to its rollout.
- The appointment of Container Exchange (CoEx) as the Producer Responsible Organisation (PRO) will coordinate the Queensland scheme and be responsible for the establishment of an accessible state-wide scheme with at least 307 collection refund points operating across the state.
COEX has already conducted information sessions across Queensland for interested businesses, community groups, charities, organisations and councils who have an interest in operating Container Refund Points or are simply seeking more information on the scheme.
If you have not been involved in any of these sessions and are interested in receiving further information from COEX then please email tenders@containerexchange.com.au and you will be added to the email group for regular updates and progress reports.
If you wish to discuss this matter you can contact, Robert Ferguson, Senior Advisor - Environmental and Public Health on 07 3000 2212 or via email on Robert_Ferguson@lgaq.asn.au.