The Northern Territory’s container deposit scheme will be expanded to any beverage container up to three litres, covering items previously excluded such as wine and spirit bottles and milk cartons, the Finocchiaro Government has said, but the wine industry has said the change couldn’t come at a worse time.

Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said new legislation was introduced into parliament on Wednesday with the changes to come into effect within six months of the bill passing to ensure industry readiness.

Those changes expand the 10 cent refunds to any beverage container up to three litres, covering items previously excluded such as wine bottles, spirit bottles and milk cartons.

“Since the scheme began in 2012, Territorians have cashed in more than one billion containers, returning over $100 million in refunds while reducing litter across the Territory,” Mr Burgoyne said.

“By expanding the scheme, we’ll see more jobs, more investment, and less litter – especially in remote communities where recycling opportunities create local work.”

The South Australian and New South Wales governments put out a joint press release on Wednesday saying they were expanding their schemes to wine and spirit bottles and other large containers but plain milks and health tonic containers remain exempt.

Industry peak body, Australian Grape and Wine, chief executive Lee McLean was cited by the ABC as saying the industry was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

“This decision couldn’t come at a worse time for our industry,” Mr McLean was quoted as saying.

“Australian winemakers are already grappling with global oversupply, rising production costs, and the ongoing recovery from the loss of the China export market.

“Adding another $85 million in costs nationally through CDS expansion will only compound these pressures.”

Mr McLean said the industry wanted governments to allow “adequate time” for businesses to develop a national approach, and wanted exemptions or subsidies for small producers.

NSW and South Australia will enact their changes by late-2027 but Queensland has already integrated glass wine and spirit bottles into their container deposit scheme.

Waste & Recycling Industry Association NT chief executive officer Adam Gray said the removing glass containers out of kerbside collection systems into the container deposit scheme would mean a greater recovery of glass and improved recovery of other dry recyclables such as paper and cardboard that are often contaminated by broken glass.