Cleanaway’s Eastern Creek incinerator to follow ‘strictest’ environmental rules

The company behind plans for a $500 million incinerator in western Sydney say the facility has assured it will not affect community health.

An overview of the Wallgrove Rd, Eastern Creek site, which could house the new Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre by Cleanaway.

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The company behind a half a billion dollar incinerator proposed for Eastern Creek has assured it will follow the “strictest” environmental standards as it progresses its plans with the State Government.

Waste management company Cleanaway says it is working closely with the planning department to prepare an environmental impact statement for the $500 million Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre (WSERRC) on Wallgrove Rd.

The facility would burn household waste and convert it into enough energy to power 65,000 homes in western Sydney. The bold proposal aims to cut landfill volumes by 95 per cent.

On Friday, the NSW Department of Planning outlined the environmental requirements for the facility as Cleanaway prepares its environmental impact statement.

Cleanaway plans to reduce western Sydney household waste with its $500m Western Sydney Energy and Resource Recovery Centre at Eastern Creek.

The document is expected to outline the possible effects on community health after action groups hit back at the proposal in October.

Blacktown state Labor MP Stephen Bali has expressed his objections to the plans and called on the State Government to issue a moratorium on all new incinerator proposals.

However, Cleanaway chief executive Vik Bansal said the facility would implement strategies for “best practice emissions control”, as seen in Europe.

Mr Bansal said European standards were the strictest in the world and would ensure air quality surrounding the facility remained safe once the incinerator was in operation.

“The WSERRC team have been out talking to the community at information sessions in shopping centres and markets, visiting people’s homes and answering questions for the past two months,” Mr Bansal said.

Cleanaway chief executive Vik Bansal has assured the facility will follow strict environmental standards.

“During that time, more than 1000 people have shared their views on the project with the team. The EIS is required to show how the issues raised by the community have been addressed.”

Despite objections from the No Incinerator for Western Sydney group, the project has received the backing of Planet Ark chief executive Paul Klymenko.

The environmental impact statement, which will be lodged in mid-2020, will outline the anticipated amount of waste to be generated by the facility, such as ash, and how it will be disposed of.

The report will also show how Cleanaway proposed to manage greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, noise, visual impact and human health.