North Coast residents fear pathway clearing for ‘toxic’ waste incinerator at Casino

A group of North Coast residents claim a regional council’s vote has brought a “toxic” waste incinerator deemed too dirty for Sydney one step closer to being built in the region - despite assurances from Richmond Valley that no such plans are on the table.

Residents against the Richmond Valley Incinerator protesting. Picture: Contributed

A group of North Coast residents claim a regional council’s vote has brought a “toxic” waste incinerator deemed too dirty for Sydney one step closer to being built in the region - despite assurances from Richmond Valley that no such plans are on the table.

Residents opposed to the build of a waste-to-energy incinerator say Richmond Valley Council’s resolution to green light plans for the Richmond Valley Regional Jobs Precinct has made way for a mega oven to be built in the town of Casino.

Richmond Valley has been identified by the NSW Government as one of four council areas where a waste incinerator could be built – alongside Parkes, Goulburn and Lithgow – after the EPA banned incinerators in greater Sydney.

Residents against the Richmond Valley Incinerator protesting outside Richmond Valley Council chambers. Picture: Contributed

“These communities are outraged” Dr Liz Stops, a spokesperson for Residents Against the Richmond Valley Incinerator Inc said.

“The NSW Government has acknowledged waste incinerators are too dangerous for Sydney but is prepared to foist them onto regional communities where much of our food is produced and close to residential areas, meatworks, beef saleyards, schools and hospitals.

“There is ample evidence that waste incineration is the ... dirtiest form of energy production, leaving a cumulative legacy of dioxins, furans and toxic ash that cannot be remediated.”

Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan MacDonald said “despite widespread misinformation” there was currently no waste incinerator proposal before council.

Residents against the Richmond Valley Incinerator protesting. Picture: Contributed

“Energy-from-waste facilities are too hi-tech and expensive for council to contemplate building, so any future proposal would need to come from private enterprise,” Mr Macdonald said.

Mr Macdonald said the Regional Job Precinct at Casino had been identified by the state government as a site where a waste incinerator may be built in the future to address the short falls in the North Coast’s current management of landfill waste.

“Despite our successful recycling and organics programs, our community still creates more than 9000 tonnes of residual waste each year,” Mr Macdonald said.

“We transport most of this waste to Queensland landfill sites, at an annual cost of more than $2 million.”

Residents against the Richmond Valley Incinerator protesting. Picture: Contributed

Mr MacDonald said council had “no commitment” to supporting the build of a waste incinerator.

Private concerns had previously expressed interest to Richmond Valley Council about building a waste incinerator before council paused investigations into the project in November 2022 following community backlash.

Dr Ros Irwin, former mayor of Lismore council, fears Richmond Valley’s endorsement of the jobs precinct plan will open the door for a private company to apply to build a waste incinerator in Casino.

“It’s duplicitous for council to say there is no proposal,” Dr Irwin said.

“They’re doing everything they can to make way for a waste incinerator.”

Residents protesting. Picture: Contributed

Richmond Valley councillors voted unanimously at the October council meeting to green light plans for the regional jobs precinct and kick it up to the state government for approval.

Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty and Planning Minister Paul Scully need to sign off on the proposed plan before the project can go ahead.

Opponents of the plan now need to get 20,000 signatures calling on the state government to remove legislation introduced by the previous government that allows waste incinerators in regional NSW communities.

“We are calling on all residents of NSW to support the livelihoods of farmers, along with the health of the population and the environment, by signing our online petition to put a stop to the construction of waste-to-energy incinerators in NSW,” Dr Stops said.