Environmental alliance calls on state to scrap controversial Lara waste-to-energy plant

The battle over a controversial Lara waste-to-energy facility may be headed to the state’s planning umpire, as lawyers for an environmental lobby call on the state government to step in.

Lara waste to energy plant, concept designs. Supplied by Prospect Hill International

The battle over a controversial Lara waste-to-energy facility may be headed to Victoria’s planning umpire, as lawyers for an environmental group call on the state government to step in.

The Environment Protection Authority granted a development licence last month to Prospect Hill International Pty Ltd for a waste-to-energy facility at 164-200 McManus Rd in Lara’s industrial zone.

The licence for the facility came with strict conditions, including continuous monitoring of air emissions, greenhouse gas emission reduction plans, and requirements to reduce noise, dust and odours.

The facility aims burn up to 400,000 tonnes of waste destined for landfill to produce 35 megawatts of electricity each year, enough to power 50,000 homes.

On Thursday, lawyers for Environmental Justice Australia, acting on behalf of the Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, released a statement calling on the Victorian government to step in and scrap the project.

Protesters Les Dew, Angela Carr, Mabel Hart, Melanie Szocs, Sarah Mansfield MP, Charles Street and front Annie Duncan on the land proposed for the incinerator. Picture: Alan Barber

Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance president Colleen Hartland said the group was concerned the facility will expose residents to a “cocktail of dangerous chemicals”.

“We hoped the EPA would listen to Lara residents who said loudly and clearly that they don’t want pollution in their backyard,” she said.

“More questions should be asked before Victoria rushes to approve these incinerators.”

It’s understood members of the ‘Say No to Lara Big Incinerator’ campaign, who marched in opposition to the project in September, are mulling whether to seek review of the EPA decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

An EPA spokeswoman said the authority “supports the community’s right to appeal”.

“Reviews are an important part of the system and help create transparency and accountability,” she said.

“EPA held a community session in Lara last month, that was well attended. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the decision and the reasons for it.

“Community involvement and input will continue be a key part of EPA’s assessment process throughout the project.”

EJA senior specialist lawyer Bruce Lindsay said the community was “understandably” nervous about the facility affecting air quality and said the “scientific links” between pollution from waste incinerators and detrimental impacts on human health have “not been given sufficient consideration”.

“Communities should not be burdened with hazardous waste facilities,” he said.

“Our client is disappointed that the EPA wasn’t more sceptical of the proponents claims because we believe this facility represents an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.”

If the facility is granted permission to operate, it will burn up to 400,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste per year, with 80 per cent of waste to come from Victorian household rubbish bins and the remaining 20 per cent from industrial sources.

The project is expected to generate 300 construction jobs, with 30 roles ongoing once its fully operational.

The City of Greater Geelong has repeatedly faced questions regarding the facility at council meetings, with mayor Trent Sullivan noting last month that City Hall is “listed as an objector”.
The Victorian government and Prospect Hill International were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Environmental alliance calls on state to scrap controversial Lara waste-to-energy plant