Geelong Chamber of Commerce pens letter to Premier opposing proposed Lara incinerator

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has joined the chorus of voices opposing an “archaic” incinerator proposed for Lara.

Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeremy Crawford. Picture: Alan Barber

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has thrown its weight behind resistance to a planned waste to energy incinerator in Lara, penning a letter to Victoria’s Premier.

In a rare move, chamber chief executive Jeremy Crawford sent the letter to Jacinta Allan on Monday morning, outlining “deep concerns” with the proposal, citing impacts to local business.

Mr Crawford told the Geelong Advertiser the proposal was “misaligned” with the chamber’s view for Geelong’s future.

“The investment and the growth that is happening in Geelong, a lot of it is on the principle of being able to develop the second largest city in Victoria,” Mr Crawford said.

“What’s really important in this journey is that the chamber is playing a role in bringing together stakeholders that want a really well-designed, thought-out city which stretches beyond us.”

Proposed Lara Incinerator. Source: Prospect Hill International

Mr Crawford said he feared the incinerator would become an unwanted “welcome to Geelong sign” that would discourage investment in the region.

“Having an archaic looking industrial chimney stack doesn’t represent Geelong and where it wants to be,” he said.

“We look at it very much through a business lens, it’s simply not an investment attraction policy to put up this type of infrastructure, it really will start to deter interest.

“It’s aesthetically displeasing, but on a more important note, we have some real issues with where that sets us back in terms of the clean city that we think we should be designing and the technologies we should be exploring.”

Ms Allan’s office would not confirm whether the letter had been received or read by the premier, or if she was planning on responding.

“The application is currently under assessment,” a Victorian Government spokeswoman said.

“Any proposal will be considered on its merits and all submissions will be considered as part of the assessment process.”

The chamber’s letter is the second sent to Ms Allan by Geelong’s business community.

In late July, 18 business leaders outlined objections to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) granting a development licence.

The proposed site of the Lara incinerator.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has also twice written to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny

In mid-July it was reported that family owned Lara-based developers Bisinella group had filed legal documents with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal also opposing the EPA’s granting of a development licence.

The hearing ended in late August, with the tribunal yet to hand down a decision.

Chief executive of Bisinella Developments Richard Bisinella welcomed the chamber’s comments.

Richard Bisinella speaking at a community event in August. Picture: Alan Barber

“We are delighted at the response we have had to the campaign – not just from Geelong businesses large and small, but also politicians from all parties and all levels of government, environmental groups and most importantly the residents, mums, dads and families who are being asked to put up with this massive incinerator in their community,” Mr Bisinella said.

“It is hard to find one supporter for this project.”

Originally published as Geelong Chamber of Commerce pens letter to Premier opposing proposed Lara incinerator