Thursday, 7 March 2024

Container deposit scheme

Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (17:26): (579) Our community loves cash for cans and is working hard to keep our local environment clean. I have been calling for a container deposit scheme for years, because Victoria was lagging behind other states, and finally after many years of advocacy the government introduced the new container deposit scheme in late 2023. However, the rollout has been abysmal. Just four months into the scheme residents in my electorate are concerned the few drop-off locations available in our community will be forced to shut down because the government has failed to provide adequate assistance to these locations in gaining all relevant planning permits with Yarra Ranges council, in particular the Wandin North, Mooroolbark and Yarra Junction sites. The action I seek is for the Minister for Environment to take all necessary steps to ensure CDS locations in Wandin North, Mooroolbark and the Yarra Valley obtain all relevant planning permits from Yarra Ranges council to continue operating without penalty or forced closure. Without this the government will have failed to deliver a functioning container deposit scheme in Mooroolbark and the Yarra Valley.

These small business operators are doing a wonderful service for our community, and residents want to do the right thing to support these businesses, clean up our environment and recycle cans and bottles using the scheme. The government must ensure that the container deposit locations in our community are not cancelled or fined by Yarra Ranges council because the Labor government has botched the rollout of the scheme. It is crazy to find out that just four months in, the container deposit scheme in my community is at risk of disappearing altogether because the Yarra Ranges council is pressuring these small businesses in relation to permits for bins, a requirement that they were never made aware of by the Labor government prior to the scheme rollout.

Sadly, the state Labor government has been floundering for years when it comes to the circular economy. It was only after the Liberals led the way by announcing a container deposit scheme in early 2020 that the Labor government was embarrassed into introducing one in November 2023. So I ask this action of the minister in the hope that these valued CDS locations that are at risk of closure in my community get the support that they need and can continue to operate and provide this service for our local community.