Legislative Council, Wednesday 22 March, 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Container Refund Scheme to be commenced this year in Tasmania:

(1) what date is the commencement now expected;

(2) will all areas/municipalities in the state commence on the same date and if not, please outline all relevant commencement dates and provide an explanation of why some areas/municipalities will be delayed; and

(3) how many exemptions have been granted from participation in the scheme?

ANSWER

(1) The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania is currently undertaking the procurement process to appoint a network operator and scheme coordinator to manage the recycle rewards container refund scheme. The precise commencement date will be part of the announcement once contracts have been signed with selected entities.

(2) Recycle rewards will provide an accessible scheme for all Tasmanians. There will be a comprehensive network of more than 40 refund points located around the state, including in regional and remote areas. It is intended that most of these refund points will be operational at commencement. Further details will be available once the procurement process is complete.

(3) The Tasmanian scheme aims to harmonise beverage container eligibility with other Australian jurisdictions to provide consistency and certainty for customers. Some beverage containers will be exempt from recycle rewards and these include containers smaller than 150 ml, larger than 2 litres and any container containing unflavoured milk. A consultation draft of the Container Refund Scheme regulations will contain details of that exempt containers. Draft regulations will be released for public consultation soon.