The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) are calling on the State Government to show real commitment to the environment by introducing container deposit legislation (CDL). The LGSA have undertaken a CDL campaign coinciding with World Environment Day on 5 June this year.
An independent report by Dr Stuart White from the Institute for Sustainable Futures was released on 28 February 2002 and recommends CDL be introduced in NSW or a system be put in place which ensures an equally high return rate of 90 per cent for beverage containers. The NSW Government commissioned this inquiry into CDL.
President of the Local Government Association, Councillor Peter Woods, said that Local Government is extremely disappointed the State Government has not acted on the inquiry’s recommendations.
On behalf of all NSW Councils and their communities, the LGSA are urging the State Government to act on the recommendations of this Inquiry immediately.
Shires Association of NSW President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, added that CDL or a similar system is essential to address serious ongoing litter problems and the blow out in cost of kerbside recycling systems imposed on Councils and their communities.
The CDL campaign included a ‘refund stall’ located in Martin Place in Sydney on World Environment Day.Mayors and Councillors, together with supportive members of State Parliament, offered hundreds of dollars to the public in refunds for their empty drink containers.
The LGSA are also establishing a CDL email discussion group as part of the ongoing campaign. Contact rverhey@lgsa.org.au to register for the email group. For the final report of the Independent Review of Container Deposit Legislation in NSW visit www.isf.uts.edu.au/CDL_Report/.
