Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can access a $1 million fund which is set up to assist in delivering improved access to the container refund scheme.
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring all Queenslanders are able to participate in the new container refund scheme, which starts on 1 November 2018.
"November 1 will mark the very beginning of the scheme and as more Queenslanders participate and the scheme grows, we expect more and more refund sites will be established across the state," Ms Enoch said.
"We recognise that some remote communities will require additional support to get permanent container refund and donation points established in their communities," Minister Enoch said.
"Supporting our regions and in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is of the utmost importance which is why we are inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils to apply for up to $50,000 to help them participate in the scheme.
"The funding will be used for projects to establish enhanced infrastructure and services, storage and sorting equipment, collection cages, bins and transportation."
Container Exchange (COEX) is the not-for-profit organisation responsible for implementing and managing the container refund scheme. COEX Board Acting Chair Alby Taylor said interim measures are being established to allow people in remote communities to get the 10 cent refund per container.
"Interim measures, such as mobile drop-off points, are being made available to remote and regional communities and this funding will allow more permanent points to be established," he said.
"For some of these communities it will be their first experience in accessing recycling services, so we need to work closely with them to meet their needs.
"Our aim is to build a sustainable, world-class container refund scheme.
"As the scheme grows, we expect more and more refund and drop off points to be established and to be accessed by the community."
Ms Enoch said community groups and not-for-profit organisations from across the State were also invited to apply for up to $10,000 so they too could participate in and benefit from the scheme.
"This funding will help establish new social enterprises that will provide long-term economic and environmental benefits to these communities, and I encourage all eligible groups to apply," Ms Enoch said.
Queensland’s container refund scheme will commence on 1 November 2018, with more than 230 container refund points in operation across the state. The number of these sites will continue to grow as the scheme rolls out.
