Lara MP Ella George reiterates community stance on incinerator
Lara MP Ella George has revealed the extend of opposition to a waste facility in her electorate.
Geelong
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The state Lara MP has again voiced her opposition to a proposed incinerator in her electorate as her government continues to sit on a decision over the proposal.
Speaking during Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, Ella George once again put on the record the region’s staunch opposition to the proposed facility.
“I have spoken about the proposed incinerator before in this chamber, but I am raising it again today because it is incredibly important to the community that I represent,” she said.
“The Lara community has some very reasonable concerns about this project, and these are concerns that I share.”
The project, first proposed in 2020, aims to process 400,000 tonnes of waste annually at a site on McManus Rd.
It has faced significant opposition from residents, local businesses, and the City of Greater Geelong.
Despite the bipartisan resistance and repeated pleas from Labor MPs, the state-level approval process has continued, with the EPA issuing a development licence in December 2023.
Ms George highlighted key community concerns, including safety issues, proximity to homes and schools, and potential impacts on air quality and noise pollution.
She said the project lacked “social licence,” citing hundreds of objections from residents.
“While I have had hundreds of residents raising these concerns with me, I am yet to have anyone contact me or speak to me about their support for this project,” she said.
The MP’s comments come as Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny continues to deliberate on the crucial planning permit, a decision that has been pending for almost five years.
While Ms George and her colleagues, including Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, and federal Corio MP Richard Marles, have spoken out against the project, their opposition has yet to result in a definitive outcome.
A City of Greater Geelong push to reclaim decision-making authority over projects such as the incinerator within its boundaries was rejected by the minister.
Ms Kilkenny refused to elaborate on the project when in Geelong last week.
Ms George thanked local campaigners, including long time advocate Charles Street, for their efforts in fighting the project.
“They have been fighting this since 2021, and I commend their efforts,” she said.
“I am proud to support them, and I will always stand with the community against this proposal.
Ms George said in a social media video she was “working hard” behind the scenes to ensure that the relevant ministers know just how much community opposition there is.
“To date, there has been no decision made to approved this application,” Ms George said.
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