A BORDER grocer will urge the NSW Finance Minister to extend a compensatory scheme for retailers affected by Victoria not having 10-cent deposits on cans and bottles.
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Bob Mathews and other retailers are due to meet Damien Tudehope on Friday afternoon in Albury.
The owner of IGA supermarkets at East Albury and Springdale Heights said he would be arguing to Mr Tudehope that an assistance package for Border retailers should go beyond 2020.
"The problem hasn't gone away so how can they argue we don't need assistance, that would be my message to the minister - 'the problem hasn't gone away, it's still there'," Mr Mathews said.
"If we can get an agreement for a further two to three years more it just gives us more time for other sale growth (on other products).
"That will help offset the losses we're sustaining in the beer business."
Mr Mathews said with not all cans and bottles redeemed there would always be a surplus of money flowing from the scheme which could be used to compensate Border traders.
The Victorian government has shown no interest in adopting a container deposit scheme, however federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said she planned to raise the need for a national approach at a meeting of state ministers in spring.
Mr Mathews said he understood the NSW government could not pay affected retailers "forever" but reasoned a further period would be beneficial and allow for more pressure on Victoria.
The transitional compensation, which is due to end in December 2020, is available to businesses within 80 kilometres of the Murray River and is dependent on them demonstrating year-on-year losses in volume and revenue.
Mr Tudehope will be joined on his visit to Albury by NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs who was integral in representing the concerns of southern Riverina traders as the assistance package was devised.
They will be meeting retailers in central Albury as part of a lunchtime walkabout.
Earlier, the cross border commissioners of NSW and Victoria, James McTavish and Luke Wilson, will meet Mr Tudehope, who will be accompanied by member for Albury Justin Clancy.
Mr Tudehope, a father of nine, has been a member for the NSW Upper House since the March election.
Before that poll he was the member for the Sydney seat of Epping after having operated childcare centres before entering Parliament.