Cade Lucas
Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme has been introduced to reduce waste and litter, but according to one Wyndham resident, it could be putting the public at risk too.
Tarneit’s Margaret Just said the location of the container deposit scheme’s refund point at Tarneit West was far too close to nearby traffic.
“At the shopping centre at Tarneit West, corner of Tarneit and Hogan Road, one of the new recycling machines has been erected right at the entrance from Hogans Road,” Ms Just said.
“I think it’s a very dangerous situation and needs something to be done about it ASAP. Someone is going to get hurt there before too long.”
The car park at the Tarneit West Shopping Centre hosts a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) one of three different types of container refund points used by the scheme, which came into operation on November 1 and offers a 10 cent refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle returned.
Margaret Just said even though the vending machine had been in use for little over a month, it was clear its location was inappropriate.
“Children as well as adults are turning up there with garbage bags full of empty cans, even wheeling them there in trolleys etc. They dash out between cars that are moving in and out of the car park,” she said.
“ At times it’s absolutely horrendous.”
Ms Just said the other side of the car park, near Tarneit Road, would be a much safer spot for the vending machine.
The position of the RVM is the responsibility of Tomra Cleanaway, the west zone operator for the container deposit scheme which includes Wyndham.
A spokesperson for Tomra Cleanaway said a thorough audit and assessment process was conducted prior to choosing the location of each refund point.
“The Tarneit West RVM site was thoroughly assessed prior to placement and was an approved location by the site host,” the spokesperson said.
When contacted, shopping centre management said they had no say in where the RVM was placed, but that a number of shoppers had expressed concern about it.
Tomra Cleanaway said refund site locations were constantly under review to ensure their safety and suitability and Tarneit West was among those being assessed.
“There is an additional site assessment that is presently being undertaken to ensure site safety,” the company spokesperson said.
