CDS Temporary Assistance Package Extended

Tuesday, 2 March 2021

CDS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PACKAGE EXTENDED

Member for Albury Justin Clancy today announced that the NSW’s Government Temporary Assistance Package for small, independent border retailers impacted by the introduction of the Return and Earn container deposit scheme (CDS) will be extended until 2023.

“The temporary assistance package has really helped small retailers in our local community to manage arbitrage impacts that emerged as a consequence of Return and Earn being introduced in NSW,” Mr Clancy said.

“This extension – which will be in place until the Victorian Government rolls-out their CDS program – will ensure retailers on our side of the border continue to have access to business advice and funding assistance through to 2023.”

To date, the package has provided a combined $2.3 million to impacted retailers within 80km of the NSW-Victorian border, with individual rates determined by IPART impact assessments.

“The NSW funding support for NSW border retailers would not be necessary if not for Victoria pulling out of the agreed ‘east coast’ plan for all states to set up the same environmental scheme,” said Mr Clancy.

“Here in Albury we are seeing the positive outcomes from having a stream of CDS collected, clean PET plastics for new businesses which are taking up the challenge of recycling that produces real results, real benefits for the environment.

Under the extension, current funding levels and payment arrangements will continue.

“This is all about providing continuity and certainty for our small, independent retailers,” Mr Clancy said.

“The EPA will oversee the support initiative and will be contacting each of the impacted retailers individually over the coming week to guide recipients through the administrative process and answer any questions.”

Existing recipients will be required to complete updated documentation to facilitate the support payments. Once completed and returned to the EPA, retailers will receive confirmation and the next annual payment instalment will be released.