MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is urging the state government to “continue to lead the way in banning single-use plastic bags and containers in Victoria”.
It has written to the Premier Daniel Andrews and energy, environment and climate change minister Lily D’Ambrosio to say it “continues to strongly support the proposed amendments to the Environment Protection Act to ban the sale of single use plastic bags”.
The shire says protecting the environment and marine life is an “important initiative for Mornington Peninsula Shire”.
“The ecological and environmental impact caused by the increased use of plastic bags creates a significant threat to Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula,” the letter said.
“Plastic bags can take 20-100 years to break down and are often mistaken for food by marine animals.”
The shire joined with the Association of Bayside Municipality and member councils to endorse the push to ban plastic bags.
New mayor Cr Bryan Payne said communities have “voiced their concern regarding single use plastic bags and advocated for the shire to act”.
“While the shire supports initiatives through education programs and policies, we believe it is essential that efforts … are also supported by state government legislation and policy.
“We encourage the state to continue to work towards a ban on single-use plastic bags.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 December 2017
