A NEW waste plan for Wodonga backs a container deposit scheme after a draft version supported Victoria not having 10-cent refunds for drink bottles and cans.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The switch has been made following public feedback on Wodonga Council's draft waste management strategy.
The city's manager environment and community protection Mark Verbaken in presenting the final version to Monday night's council meeting has recommended a stronger stance, given NSW has had a container deposit scheme since December 2017.
"The outstanding issue relates to a container deposit scheme," Mr Verbaken noted of feedback.
"After a further review of the outcomes from the introduction of CDS in NSW, it is now recommended that a change be made."
The proposed policy on can and bottle returns now reads: "With the data currently available from NSW, the introduction of a consistent national container deposit scheme is supported."
The draft had stated that "as a member of the regional waste group which is state funded, the status quo is currently supported".
Deputy mayor Kat Bennett, a leading advocate on council for waste initiatives, welcomes the prospect of a national container deposit scheme.
"I'm a fan of having the same process across all the states, and I will be lobbying for that," Cr Bennett said.
Earlier this month Victoria became the only state not to have a plan to introduce container deposits after Tasmania declared it would be adopting a scheme.
Wodonga's final waste management strategy also proposes five new measures to reflect its Two Cities One Community joint plan with Albury Council.
They include using the federal government's Regional City Deal to "maximise opportunities" on waste management and investigating the possibility of making it illegal to "dispose of paint, batteries or building materials in domestic waste and recycling bins".
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here
