The LGAQ has told the Palaszczuk Government that the introduction of a ban on single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags next year should not be used as a means of shifting costs on to councils when it comes to compliance with the new scheme and enforcing any breaches.
The LGAQ’s concerns were outlined in its submission on the legislation that provides for the introduction of the ban, due to come into force in July next year. The proposed laws would also introduce a state-wide container refund scheme.
The Association told the Agriculture and Environment Committee on the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 that it supported the proposed plastic bag ban as it responds to a resolution by councils at the LGAQ’s annual conference last year.
However, it cautioned against any cost shift and said the State Government should be responsible for compliance with and enforcement of the ban.
The submission also said the new container refund scheme should support existing kerbside recycling services delivered by 33 Queensland councils and that councils and their contractors should not be excluded from claiming container refunds.
It also called for the committee to seek certainty regarding ongoing planning and development concerns, scavenging, finding markets for recycling glass, and upfront financial support for local government infrastructure for councils who wish to participate in the scheme.
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