WA Wine Industry Fights Recycling Scheme Expansion

0:00Western Australia's government is set to expand its containers for change recycling schemes starting July 1st, adding wine and spirit bottles to the list for a 10 cent refund. Right now, it covers things like soft drink cans, water bottles, and beer containers, but this change has the local wine industry pushing back hard through a new group called Friends of WA Wine. Their warning that new labeling, logistics, and compliance rules could tack on up to $1.25 per bottle, all funded by, wineries themselves, not the government. Those extra costs would ripple through taxes, distributors, and retailers straight to consumers while the refund stays at just 10 cents. Producers like those in the Great Southern and Southwest regions are sounding alarms, saying it piles onto wage hikes, insurance jumps, and slumping. Sales, potentially forcing small family vineyards to shut down. They feel the state hasn't consulted enough, sparking this industry wide movement where 95 percent of WA wine folks have signed on. The group wants a pause until

1:05competitors like Victoria and South Australia roll out similar expansions around mid-2027, arguing small. Outfits can't handle the hit like big players can. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Matthew Swinborn insists they've worked closely with industry, offering a three-year transition, simplified rules for, small wineries, and noting WAs already got the cheapest glass supply costs around. As other states like New South Wales and South Australia gear up for their own changes, this standoff in WA highlights the tough balance between. Recycling goals and keeping local wine flowing affordably, keep an eye on whether the pause call gains traction before July hits. Local news, powered by AI, this is Sydney News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.