Released 01/07/2022
The new financial year brings some important changes for Canberra’s environment and animal welfare. These actions are part of the ACT Government’s plans to keep making our city cleaner, more liveable and more sustainable.
More action on plastic waste
“The ACT has taken another important step in combating plastic waste with single-use plastic straws, cotton buds with plastic sticks, and all oxo-degradable plastics now officially banned from 1 July,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
These items join plastics already on the banned list – including single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, expanded polystyrene takeaway and drink containers.
Exceptions are in place for people who may still need access to plastic straws for safety and accessibility reasons, including Canberrans with disability.
Minister Steel said the recent changes were also encouraging event organisers to take more action on plastic waste.
“Floriade – along with its popular NightFest – is going even further by banning single-use plastic plates, bowls and takeaway containers when the events return in September. This is a great example of how government can lead the way in showing what’s possible for sustainability.”
The ACT Government has also worked with the coordinators of the Haig Park Village Markets, Vegan State of Mind festival, Windows to the World, Canberra Nara Candle Festival, New Year’s Eve 2022 and organisers at the University of Canberra and ANU’s Llewellyn Hall to ban a range of single-use plastics at their events. This will cut the use of single-use plastic plates and bowls for all events, along with plastic takeaway containers, balloons, balloon sticks and plastic confetti.
For more information on the ACT’s ban on selected single-use plastics and plastic free events, visit: www.act.gov.au/single-use-plastics.
Phasing out single use plastics is a parliamentary agreement item.
Helping Canberra’s cats live longer, healthier lives
From 1 July, all cats are required to be registered – with details to be updated annually via an online smartform.
Cats born before 1 July this year can be registered for free until 1 July 2023. Owners of cats born after 1 July this year will pay a small one-off fee of $57.55 or $20.70 for pensioners.
This system mirrors the ACT’s annual dog registration scheme, introduced in 2021. Similar to dogs, it will help reunite lost cats with their families faster, through up-to-date contact details.
Mandatory cat containment will also be expanded across Canberra, with all cats born from 1 July required to be contained to their owner’s premises.
“Cats provide love and companionship to many Canberrans. These new changes will promote responsible pet ownership and help to protect the health and wellbeing of our pets,” said Minister Steel.
“We understand that existing cats and their owners may not be prepared for, or used to, full containment. That’s why we are taking a grandfathering approach for existing pet cats, to support a fair and gradual transition which protects animal welfare.”
Cats born before 1 July this year are not required to be contained to their premises, unless they live in one of Canberra’s 17 declared cat containment locations.
For more information on cat registration and cat containment – please visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au/cats
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases