Berejiklian ‘back flip’ wanted on scheme
Since late November 2017, each and every carton of soft drink and beer sold locally is priced from $3.60 to $5 more than in the ACT. Why? The culprit is “Return and Earn” the container deposit scheme – sold to us as the way to reduce litter in the state. But which remarkably does not accept containers that are broken or do not have their original label attached!
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This state government initiative has told us we can claim 10 cent refunds from December 1 for all eligible containers returned.
In the whole of the Bega Valley we have only two collection points, one at Bega and the other at Bermagui. During our Christmas shopping, the only reason for us to be in Bega, we tried out the container collection set up – massive reverse vending machines, paid for by you know who!
Success, a bottle went through the glass machine and we received a 10 cent credit to our PayPal account! Then to the next machine for all our plastic bottles – hold on what’s this: “Assistance Required – Please wait or contact customer hotline. We apologise for the inconvenience”.
The federal government is happy – it receives an extra 36 cents to 50 cents GST for every drink carton sold. The state government pockets the rest to the tune of at least $600million per year.
Victoria has reduced litter by almost 60 per cent over the past eight years. Victoria’s approach combines public awareness with convenient infrastructure, identifying litter hot spots and installing appropriate bins to create social norms.
Together with skyrocketing power bills, why is our state government increasing our taxes and cost of living through this container deposit scheme? Surely the government has more important things to manage!
Our Premier Gladys Berejiklian needs to do another “back flip” to cancel this ill considered scheme which taxes us all.
Chris Young, Tura Beach
Beat blood cancer
Every day, another 35 Aussies are diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma and. Thanks to those extraordinary Aussies, blood cancer patients and their families continue to receive free emotional and practical support, educational resources and transport to and from vital medical appointments from the Leukaemia Foundation. Your support also means regional families continue to be provided with free home-away-from-home accommodation near their treating centres.
Bill Petch. CEO- Leukaemia Foundation
Enjoy local pools
Summer is here, and there is no better place than the local swimming pool to cool off and spend time with friends and family. Australian communities, whether in the city or the bush, are dotted with public swimming pools of all shapes and sizes. They are the hub of many neighbourhoods.
Royal Life Saving has been researching the benefits of the local pool, and have found that health benefits outstrip the cost of entry fivefold. Research shows that 40 per cent of Australians are physically inactive and at risk of developing Type II diabetes, heart disease and other related illnesses.
Our findings indicate people can greatly improve their health by visiting the local pool for a swim once a week.
However, many public pools are under pressure, in need of re-development or at-risk of being closed, and so hundreds of people through the turnstiles will send a message that they are essential parts of the Australian way of life.
Remember that although the pool lifeguards are highly trained, they are not babysitters.
Actively supervise and stay within arm’s reach of children under five. Look out for signage, talk to the lifeguard, introduce your kids and explain the rules.
This summer, why not try the local pool? Let’s keep the heart of the community open so everyone can stay safe and healthy.