Wine, spirits bottles join 10¢ collection

From November 1, 2023, glass wine and spirit bottles will be eligible for a 10-cent refund under Queensland’s Containers for Change program. and recycled in Queensland.

The commitment to expand the scheme follows an extensive consultation period, where more than 6,600 Queenslanders shared their thoughts about including additional containers in the refund program.

The consultation found 98.1 per cent of participants were in favour of more containers being made eligible for refunds through the program.

The container refund scheme has recovered more than 6.4 billion containers since its launch in Queensland in 2018, refunding more than $630 million to Queenslanders and creating 815 jobs as a result.

The addition of glass wine and spirit bottles is expected to build on the existing benefits of the program, especially around the recovery of additional glass for re-manufacturing.

To ensure all Queenslanders can participate in the expanded scheme later this year, the Queensland Government is working closely with Container Exchange (COEX), who manage the Containers for Change program, to make sure industry and facilities will be ready with six months to prepare.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the delay until November is so the Queensland Government can work with 360 container refund depots as well as wine makers and spirit distillers over the next six months to get ready for the change.

“When we launched Containers for Change five years ago, only 18 per cent of beverage containers were being recovered

Spending cap introduced

Legislation has passed through the Queensland Parliament introducing a cap on electoral spending for all participants in Queensland local government elections.

The caps differ between mayoral and councillor candidates as well as between councils with differing populations.

In the Toowoomba Region, prospective councillors, who have over 115,000 electors to appeal to, will be capped at $30,000 for electoral spending.

Speaking in parliament last week, Member for Condamine Pat Weir said although the LNP did not oppose the bill, he did think it would cause issues for large, undivided councils such as the Toowoomba Region.

He said under this scheme, incumbents have an advantage, as new candidates usually need to spend big to be elected.

The new spending cap brings the sector into line with a similar rules for state electoral spending.

The caps will apply for the March 2024 Local Government elections.

“Since then that number has grown threefold, with Queenslanders having returned more than six billion containers and receiving $630 million in return.

“Stacked end to end, the recovered containers would run the length of Queensland about 300 times.

“It’s a program that isn’t just helping Queenslanders cash in – it’s also making sure we divert good materials from landfill to be recycled, and supporting hundreds of good, local jobs at the same time.”

Container Exchange CEO Natalie Roach said her organisation is excited about offering even more opportunities to create value for individuals, community groups, and charities while making it even simpler for Queenslanders to know which drink containers are eligible for a refund.

“So far 2023 has been a record-breaking year for the Containers for Change program with more containers collected than ever before, and we look forward to the expansion, and returning even more cash back to Queenslanders whilst saving even more valuable recyclable material from ending up litter or landfill,” she said.

To find the nearest collection depot, visit containersforchange. com.au/qld/where-to-return

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MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

We believe every human has the inherent right to live a ‘normal’ and empowered life; to have ability and opportunity to make one’s own choices. We aim to empower people with mental health or with disability

§ Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

§ Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

SUPPORT AND SERVICES

§ Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

§ Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

§ Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety. Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

§ Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

§ Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

§ Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

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T

The first formal commemoration of Anzac Day at Westbrook was organised in 2008 by the local Hall Committee and since then, attendances have improved each year.

This year, in spite of heavily overcast skies and light misty drizzle a crowd estimated to be well in excess of 500 gathered.

A touching moment came when Vietnam Veteran Len Muller, whose name appears on the Westbrook Honour Board with that of the late Jeff Rowbotham, attended his first Anzac service at Westbrook, but was overcome by emotion when at the microphone, drawing supportive applause from the crowd.

Greenmount Community Commemoration

Residents of Greenmount, East Greenmount and surrounding areas turned out in force on Anzac Day for the town’s sole mid-morning service.

M.C. Doug Gale led the ceremony and was assisted by Toowoomba Region Councillor Carol Taylor who read the Anzac Requiem, guest speaker Major James Bushell (Commanding Officer, 73rd Electronic Warfare Squadron) and Graham Gordon who read the Uniform Resolution and The Anzac Day Ode.

The Amity Quartet sang the hymn ‘Abide with Me’ and student Thomason Dwyer recited the prayer.

Representation was strong from the area’s local schools, Greenmount State School, Emu Creek State School and Clifton State High School.

For over 120 years Australian troops have served around the world in defence of our country, our allies, and our values.

Twenty years ago was the early days of Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan; and it has been 20 years since the passing of Sergeant Andrew Russell, Australia’s first loss during a warlike operation since the Vietnam War.

Australian defence personnel have served with dignity, honour and bravery. We will never forget their service and their sacrifice, and this Anzac Day we pause to remember and to thank them. To learn more about the Anzacs, please visit anzacportal.dva.gov.au Kind regards,

Greenmount State School Service

oomba QLD 4350

07 4632 4144 th.hamilton.mp@aph.gov.au thhamilton.com.au

29th ANNUAL MAYORAL PRAYER Breakfast

The 29th annual Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast is back for another year, with internationally renowned Australian landscape photographer and publisher Ken Duncan OAM as the guest speaker for the community fundraiser.

When: Tuesday, May 9

Where: Rumours International, 323 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba

Time: 6 to 8.15am

Tickets: Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for school-aged children.

To purchase your tickets scan the QR code or phone 131 872

All credit cards, except Diners Club and American Express can be used online. Visa and MasterCard payments will attract a 0.33% surcharge.