Draft plastic ban bylaw to be recycled

A HOBART City Council committee has rejected a proposed bylaw to ban plastic containers and utensils from Hobart food retailers.

Instead, an alternative motion will be put forward at the next council meeting.

The motion to support the draft bylaw failed 3-1 last night at the city infrastructure meeting, with Aldermen Tanya Denison, Jeff Briscoe and Simon Behrakis voting against it. Greens Councillor Helen Burnet supported the bylaw.

“(As a council) we had an opportunity to be bold,” Cr Burnet said.

“I am a bit disappointed ... it’s a fairly limited impost and more businesses are making the choice anyway.” The alternative motion council will vote on next month is that: COUNCIL lobbies state government to support the LGAT motion to introduce a statewide ban on single use plastics. COUNCIL works with businesses to implement a voluntary scheme. CONSIDERATION bylaw be deferred months.

The meeting also noted that 100 out of 300 businesses were already not using single-use plastic items. Ald Denison, who chaired the committee, supported the alternative motion.

“I think bringing along businesses with us through the transition, rather than the ‘big stick’ approach of bylaws and fines, will result in a much better outcome,” she said. of the for 12

The law would have banned single-use, petroleum-based plastic containers and utensils from next year. It would apply to plastic cups, lids, utensils, straws and sachets.

Infringement notices would have been set at $326. If the matter was prosecuted, a $1300 fine may have applied.

Earlier, Ald Behrakis slammed a push to fine businesses $1300 for not using “politically correct cutlery and crockery” as ridiculous.

“The business owners I’ve spoken to are telling me this is nothing short of a new tax on business,” Ald Behrakis said.

Councillor Mike Dutta, who owns Macquarie Street Foodstore, said he supported the bylaw but had concerns over the fines and the flow-on effect of costs for small businesses.