THE Noosa Community Biosphere Association is calling on local residents to protect the biosphere and unite in the fight against litter.
NCBA vice-president John Wood has invited locals to join him and other local environmental groups at Noosa Main Beach this Sunday to show their support of a ban on plastic bags in Noosa and the introduction of a container deposit scheme in Queensland.
“A ban on plastic bags and a cash for containers scheme would help significantly reduce the amount of plastic bags and litter found on our streets and footpaths, in our parks and our waterways while protecting out native fauna and reducing council’s cost of waste management,” Mr Wood said.
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) is currently leading an investigation into state-based options for a container deposit scheme (CDS) in Queensland and said while the introduction of a scheme would provide litter reduction and resource recovery benefits, there were also impact and cost considerations.
Local Green candidate and council hopeful Aaron White said he supported both campaigns and the ban on plastic bags was something for the council to action.
“Although I fully endorse Noosa’s ‘ban the plastic bag’ campaign, supported by Noosa Council and the Noosa Community Biosphere Association, I believe a container deposit scheme for all of Queensland is just as important,” he said.
“Considering the heavy use of plastic containers by our tourists in particular and the sad lack of available water refilling stations, perhaps Noosa Council should be taking more of a lead on this.”
Mr White will be joining Mr Wood and other groups this Sunday 24 January at 9.45am on the Noosa Main Beach and again at 11.30am along the Noosa River, Gympie Terrace in a show of support for the two initiatives.
