Lara incinerator: Deputy PM Richard Marles voices concerns in State Government letter

A push against the Lara waste incinerator has garnered the support from a high profile political figure, a letter to the state government reveals.

Lara resident Melanie Search was protesting against the development of a waste incinerator in her community at a rally on Sunday. Picture: Alan Barber

The deputy prime minister has thrown his support behind a community push against an incinerator planned in his electorate, urging the state government to listen to the people.

More than 100 people rallied on Sunday morning to protest the incinerator which was granted a development licence by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) last December.

Cheering and clapping could be heard from Austin Park in Lara as state politicians labelled a proposed waste incinerator “not good enough”.

A letter from deputy prime minister and Corio MP Richard Marles sent to Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny was read at the rally.

It detailed how he understood the issue to be “tremendously weighing” on the community which had great concerns about the project.

“I add my support for the Lara community and trust their views will be given thorough consideration,” he said in the letter.

The waste-to-energy facility proposed for a site on McManus Rd would be 1200m from Lara’s town centre and just 350m from the closest home.

Its 80m tall chimney stack would become the tallest structure in the Geelong area.

The Committee for Geelong, Geelong Sustainability, the Geelong council, Lara member Ella George, opposition members and a large community group have all voiced their opposition to the project.

Eighteen Geelong business figures penned a letter to the state’s premier last month stating their staunch opposition to a proposed Lara waste incinerator.

Mother-of-two and Lara resident Melanie Search said she attended the rally to fight for her children.

“My main concern is for the environment and for my kids’ health,” she said.

Nick Lovadina also attended the rally and said he was concerned with the location of the incinerator and the pollutants it could create.

He also said he was concerned about the CO2 emissions created, not just by the incinerator but by its construction with steel and concrete, and the trucks coming and going.

Neve, Nick and Mirium Lovadin joined a rally in Lara on Sunday to protest the Victorian Environment Protection Agency’s development approval of an industrial incinerator. Picture: Alan Barber

Veronica Szocs said she was concerned for the health of her community and the environmental impacts of the development.

“We do not need it, there are better ways to get rid of rubbish,” she said.

“My grand children are young, they live here too, it's a family-orientated community and families do not need it.”

Andy Stretton said it was unnecessary to build an incinerator next to city.

“If you’re going to build it build it where people aren’t living next to it,” he said.

“It's the lazy option and will affect everyone in the region, we’re angry.”

Melbourne-based Prospect Hill International is behind the controversial plan.

Under a development license set out by the EPA, Prospect Hill International must meet a series of conditions.

These conditions include an engagement plan to ensure the community is informed about all stages and public reporting of emission monitoring results, among a list of others.

No Waste Incinerators in Lara and Greater Geelong Incorporated president Charles Street lives 2km from the proposed site.

He said waste incineration made no sense in Australia.

“We must stop this waste incinerator madness in Lara, and stop it we will,” he said.

“There are so many better options for waste management along the lines of reducing consumption, re-using resources and recycling.”

James, Elsie and Rachel Arkinstall at the rally against the proposed Lara waste incinerator. Picture: Alan Barber

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said “this toxic waste incinerator” could not proceed under any circumstances.

She said it was an “absolute disgrace” it would be only 350m from the nearest house.

“This will not happen on my watch because I join with you in saying no.

“Words are not enough, we want action, we want a commitment that this incinerator will not go ahead.”

Lara MP Ella George also spoke at the rally and acknowledge the “strong advocacy” of the community to fight against the project.

“I do not support this waste to energy project,” she said.

“This proposed facility is extremely concerning for residents in out community of Lara and the wider Geelong region.”

Senator Sarah Henderson was among a collection of politicians at a rally to protest the a proposed waste incinerator in Lara. Picture: Alan Barber

Polwarth MP Richard Riordan told the crowd it was “simply not good enough” that the community’s concerns were understood when they needed action.

“Geelong is more than a place to dump Melbourne rubbish,” he said.

“We need more than placid words, we need more than letters of assurance, we need action.”

Bisinella Developments has launched legal action in an attempt to overturn the EPA’s approval of the project.

EPA has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Lara incinerator: Deputy PM Richard Marles voices concerns in State Government letter