Thursday, 29 August 2024

 Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:44): (795) My constituency question is for the Minister for Environment, who is in the chamber. How is the rollout of the Victorian Labor government’s landmark container deposit scheme progressing in my community of Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West? The CDS scheme is of course all about taking that real action on the environment – sustainability, recycling, moving towards a circular economy and keeping our streets, parks, creeks and waterways clean. Since commencing in November 2023 residents across Merri-bek have been enthusiastically collecting their bottles, cans and containers to obtain that 10-cent refund, which as of July has equated to over 6.7 million bottles and cans being recycled and over $670,000 in refunds have been provided to locals. Since commencing I have been pleased, with the minister, to secure and unveil eight local reverse vending machines across my community at Dairy Drive in North Coburg; 59 ‍Sydney Road, Coburg; 801 Sydney Road, Brunswick; 10 Moreland Road, Brunswick; and 21 ‍Domain Street, Hadfield. Three news sites were just recently unveiled in Brunswick West at Union Square, AG Gillon Oval and Dunstan Reserve. I have been really happy to get out to local schools, including Pascoe Vale North Primary and Pascoe Vale South Primary, to provide them with the free CDS bags to collect their cans.