Bisinella Developments launch legal action to block 80m Lara incinerator

A family-owned Geelong development company has thrown its weight behind a push to block what they say will become an “unwanted Geelong landmark”.

A family-owned Geelong development company has thrown its full support behind a community campaign opposing an 80m high incinerator that will dominate the northern gateway to the city.

Lino and Richard Bisinella, whose Bisinella Developments has played a key role in shaping the northern suburbs since launching 60 years ago, have launched legal action in an attempt to overturn the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) approval of the project late last year.

Lino and Richard Bisinella at the site of the proposed Lara incinerator on McManus Rd. Picture: Mike Dugdale.

The father and son duo are incredulous, adamant the incinerator is “not the future we want for Geelong”.

“It is a crime to allow something like this to be imposed on this community,” Lino said.

“This is one of Victoria’s fastest growing areas and is a wonderful place for young families to come to live.

“We are part of this community and our role is to help give the community a voice when they feel they are not being heard.”

The Bisinella group recently filed legal documents with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

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

It’s sole director is Jian Qi, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents.

“Waste to energy” incinerators turn solid rubbish into energy.

Opponents are concerned about the potential impact on air and water quality in the area.

The facility would produce 30MW of energy per year, enough to power up to 12,000 homes.

It would sit in the heart of Lara’s industrial estate on McManus Rd.

At its peak, it would be the tallest structure in the region — 9m above the Miramar apartment complex and 7m above the GMBHA Stadium light towers.

State opposition planning spokesman James Newbury said the government’s approval flew in the face of widespread community opposition.

The proposed site of the Lara incinerator.

He claimed this was proof that local Labor MPs were “hopeless”.

“Big decisions are being made for the region and the community deserves more than a bunch of hopeless Labor MPs,” he said.

Lara MP Ella George, who holds the seat by a whopping 32 per cent, is opposed to the project.

“As a local MP, I will not support a proposal that the community are not behind,” she said.

Ms George said she has “passed on these concerns” to state planning and environment minister Sonya Kilkenny.

Ms Kilkenny issued a one-line response to a series of questions.

Lara MP Ella George has said she is against the proposal. Picture: Alan Barber

“Any proposal will be considered on its merits and all submissions will be considered as part of the assessment process,” the spokesman said.

Richard Bisinella said the incinerator would become an unwanted Geelong landmark.

“The more people hear about this incinerator, the more they are shocked by the size of it,” he said.

“It will be the tallest or one of the tallest structures outside Melbourne and has been approved with minimum community consultation and, we believe, inappropriate haste by the EPA,” he said.

“Why would you put it in the centre of a growth corridor? All these people are going to see this monstrosity and the plume of smoke.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny issued a one-line response to a series of questions. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly.

State opposition planning spokesman James Newsbury.

“Geelong has come a really long way … I don’t want Geelong to be rebranded in a way that Werribee was rebranded with its sewage processing facility.”

A community rally protesting the EPA’s approval is scheduled for August 4 at Austin Park.

Organiser Charles Street said the incinerator would be a “human and environmental disaster”.

Residents are against the development of an incinerator in Lara. Picture: Alan Barber

“Incineration produces greenhouse gases, and the main combustible component of garbage is plastic,” he said.

“The government refuses to address legitimate community concerns about air and water quality and the impact on crops, farms and the environment.”

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan has twice written to Ms Kilkenny regarding the City Hall’s opposition to the facility.

Mayor Trent Sullivan has written to Ms Kilkenny twice regarding the facility. Picture: Alan Barber.

The most recent letter – sent in late April – reiterated the community’s concerns.

“These concerns are largely around the health and environmental impacts, particularly in relation to the homes, schools and pre-schools located nearby,” he said.

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.

Bisinella’s latest development in the area in the Lara Lakes Estate, located approximately 5km north of the where the incinerator would be located.

Originally published as Bisinella Developments launch legal action to block 80m Lara incinerator