Leanne Enoch
Queensland’s container refund scheme, which was due to start on July 1, has been postponed to November 1.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch announced the four-month extension on Thursday.
“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 on December 1 last year,” Ms Enoch said.
Ms Enoch said while Queensland’s scheme will be different to New South Wales, there were lessons to be learned from the problematic introduction of the NSW scheme – particulary ensuring there are enough container refund points so people have the ability to get the 10c refund.
Legislation to extend the start date of the Container Refund Scheme will be introduced into State Parliament on Friday.
Ms Enoch said a new not-for-profit company Container Exchange (CoEx) has been appointed to administer Queensland’s container refund scheme.
CoEx will be governed by a board of nine directors, made up of beverage industry and independent representation, and will include an independent chair.
The new company will work with the government to ensure the scheme is a success, remains efficient and delivers positive outcomes for the public, community groups and the environment.
Ms Enoch said CoEx was required to ensure an adequate number of container refund points were in place when the scheme started.
“We’re looking to have more than 200 refund points across Queensland ready to operate by November 1, and CoEx will ensure they are located where as many people as possible in our decentralised state can access them.
“CoEx has already started this process by putting a request for proposal into the market, seeking interest from individuals and organisations who want to run container refund points.
“CoEx will also work to ensure the scheme’s running costs are minimised, with as small an impact as possible on the beverage industry and the community.”
The refund scheme will see most drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres eligible for a 10 cent refund, although some containers are exempt.
Information on the scheme, including eligible containers, is available via the Queensland Government website.
Interested individuals, community groups and other organisations wanting to receive information on the request for proposal to set up container refund points should register through tenders@containerexchange.com.au before March 5, 2018.
