Emails show EPA at ‘edge of expertise’ when assessing Lara incinerator

Emails between staff at Victoria’s environmental watchdog reveal the organisation was at the ‘edge’ of its expertise when assessing the controversial Lara incinerator.

The proposed site of the Lara incinerator.

An email uncovered following a freedom of information request reveals Victoria’s environmental watchdog was on the “edge of its expertise” in assessing the merits of the controversial Lara incinerator.

The revelation has provided more ammunition for opponents of the project, who have claimed the public consultation period was flawed.

An Environment Protection Authority (EPA) staff member emailed a colleague on November 22 last year, requesting feedback on an assessment report regarding impacts on psychological health and the buffer between the incinerator and the nearby residential properties.

“These are significant matters and we have reached the edges of our expertise in the assessment report,” the email read.

“If there is benefit in another meeting, please reach out.

Proposed Lara Incinerator. Source: Prospect Hill International

“Our intention is finalise the report and be ready to issue the decision this Friday.”

The EPA granted a license just two weeks later on December 6.

Geelong property developer and outspoken incinerator critic Richard Bisinella said the email raised major questions about the assessment process.

“This admission by the EPA begs the question: how did they assess psychological health impacts and buffer guidelines in such a short period between the date of this email and the approval?” he said.

“We are yet to have any answers to these and many other important questions despite many queries to the premier, planning minister, EPA and environment minister.

“What have they got to hide?”

Richard Bisinella at an anti-incinerator rally in Lara earlier in the year. Photo: Alan Barber

Mr Bisinella called for “more transparency to understand the real impact of incinerators that will operate 24/7, generating millions of tonnes of Co2 within our cities”.

A long list of politicians from all sides are opposed to the project, including local state MP Ella George and local federal MP Richard Marles.

Mr Bisinella recently challenged the EPA’s decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a declaration that the licence was granted unlawfully.

The tribunal has not yet handed down its decision.

“The documents obtained by FOI and our experts’ detailed review of the project’s planning submissions and C02 claims begs the question, who is backing this project within the government and why are their own local representatives so ineffective in stopping it?” Mr Bisinella said.

Anti-incinerator campaigner Charles Street will join a rally at the convention centre on Wednesday. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Bisinella’s company is behind the Lara Lakes Estate development, located approximately 5km north of the where the incinerator would be located.

The Lara community has become increasingly frustrated in recent weeks with the lack of communication surrounding the project.

Charles Street, who is leading the community’s opposition, said the project has “no friends”.

Mr Street will lead a contingent of Geelong community members who will join suburban Melbourne residents to protest at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

The group is calling on the state government to abandon plans to build waste incinerators.

Facilities have also been proposed for Laverton North, Sunbury, Wollert, Dandenong South, and Maryvale.

The EPA was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Emails show EPA at ‘edge of expertise’ when assessing Lara incinerator