The Australia-first move to was first flagged by the Palaszczuk government in November last year and after a few months of consultation – which revealed 98 per cent of 6600 people who took an online survey supported it – the decision has been confirmed.
But despite the Queensland government’s on the proposal revealing a cost-benefit analysis would be prepared to “ensure future decisions are fully informed”,that report will be kept secret.
An Environment Department spokesman toldBrisbane Times the analysis could not be released because of “cabinet rules”.
Australian Grape&Wine – which opposed expanding the scheme in Queensland – estimated the inclusion of wine bottles in NSW alone could cost winemakers about $45 million a year,or $100 million if introduced nationwide.
The industry body argued most wine was consumed at home or at licensed venues and placed in kerbside recycling bins.
“We are firmly of the view that the discussion paper does not provide people with a clear sense of the costs and benefits of what they are being asked to provide feedback on,” chief executive Lee McLean said in a submission to the government.
Questioned whether the price of wine would increase as a result of the move,Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon would not answer directly,instead responding that 98 per cent of Queenslanders supported expanding the scheme “knowing how it works”.
NSW and South Australia – both considering similar changes – have released lengthy reports detailing options to improve their recycling schemes.
In NSW,adding large juice,wine and spirit bottles was expected to boost recycling rates by,and avoid 628,000 tonnes of landfill disposal over 20 years,but have a minimal direct effect on reducing litter.
That was because available data indicated those bottles comprised only a fraction of the current litter stream.
In,including wine,spirit,juice and cordial containers was predicted to increase the return rate from 77 per cent to 78 per cent a year.
Queensland’s scheme,run by Container Exchange (COEX),is to recover and recycle 85 per cent of containers sold,hitting just 62.9 per cent last financial year.
The minister has the power to rip up COEX’s contract if it fails to meet targets,but has not done so.
Glass wine and pure spirit bottles will not be accepted at refund points until November 1,and authorities have urged people not to stockpile bottles beforehand.
While people can receive a 10¢ refund,a Productivity Commission report from 2019 found the price of non-alcoholic drinks rose 9.5¢ per bottle or can,on average,over the seven months after theCider was the hardest hit,rising by 12.5¢.
The department did not respond to questions by deadline.