City of Mandurah and Shire of Murray support ban on plastic bags, but say it is up to State Govt to make call

WA is one of the last states in Australia where plastic bags have not been banned and the environment and marine life is suffering.

Both Mandurah and Murray councils say they support a ban on plastic bags but a ban can only happen at State level.

The City of Mandurah considered a report in 2014 outlining the options available to minimise the use of plastic bags in Mandurah.

But when the City of Fremantle tried to adopt a local law, it was overruled by the former Liberal Government on the basis that such a campaign would need to be directed towards the State because local government did not have the power to implement a ban.

However, Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said recently a state-wide ban on plastic bags would be introduced by 2019.

The Shire of Murray plans to consult the community and forward the results to the State Government.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council supports a ban on plastic bags and staff are only using re-useable bags.

Aldi, the German supermarket with three stores in Mandurah, Halls Head and Lakelands, supports a ban on single use plastic carry bags and from day one has not offered free plastic bags to shoppers.

Customers are encouraged to take their own bags or buy a reusable bag from the store, ranging from a 15c heavy duty plastic bags made from 80 per cent recycled materials, a 99c coloured fabric bag and a $2.49 cooler bag.

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