Cash for containers: No answers on container drop-off closures on the Gold Coast

THE Minister responsible for rolling out the controversial container recycling scheme could not explain the teething problems of the launch yesterday, but MP’s are fuming.

THE Minister responsible for rolling out the controversial container recycling scheme refused to answer Gold Coast Bulletin questions about its embarrassing launch yesterday.

When asked about the removal of advertised drop-off sites, how would she fix the debacle and why some of the sites simply did not exist, the office of Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch replied: “These are operational questions for CoEx as they are implementing and managing the scheme.”

CoEx was unable to reply by the time of publishing.

David Crisafulli ,Member for Broadwater (LNP) at a press conference on the recycling scheme roll out. Thursday, November 1, 2018. (Richard Waugh).

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Shadow Environment Minister David Crisafulli said the roll out was a “train wreck”.

“The Minister might be well intentioned but lacks the rigour and discipline to implement a scheme of this size and is oblivious to the train wreck that is unfolding,” he said.

“You can’t be prepared to do the photo opportunities but then throw your hands in the air and blame the contractor when things go to custard.”

Containers for Change collection point at 3/9 Christensen Rd, Staplyton was open Thursday. Owner Damien Wooford and worker Totai Tunui. Picture: Jerad Williams

Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor said he had received a number of calls about the missing centres.

“I want this scheme to work but the container deposit sites in Arundel and Biggera Waters have not even been set up. People are going to be turned off in the first few days.

“They’ll be going on to the website to find where to go only to see nothing when they drive there.”

In Parliament yesterday, Minister Enoch was unable to explain the issues.

“This morning I tabled the sites that have been opened today, and we have more than exceeded the 232 sites that we had targeted for the beginning of this scheme,” she said.

“This is the very beginning of this scheme. We are in this for the long game. This is about the future of our state.

“Every target that was set for CoEx to deliver the container refund scheme in this state has been met and in some instances exceeded.”