A second submission period is now open for interested parties to provide feedback related to further information on the proposed waste-to-energy facility in Wollert.
Proposed by Cleanaway Operations, the Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (MERC) is designed to thermally process 380,000 tonnes of waste annually, generating around 46.3 megawatts of electricity.
A development licence application has been submitted to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, while a planning permit application has been lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) for the proposed project.
As part of the ongoing assessment, Cleanaway responded to EPA’s requests for information (RFI) on a range of matters, including air and noise emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, stormwater, wastewater management, waste feedstock, fire risk management, and other related topics.
One of the key considerations is feedback received during the public consultation period, which ran from February 20 to April 14, 2024.
A total of 763 submissions were received, with 752 expressing objections to the proposal.
Some residents, both from Wollert and surrounding areas, have referred to the facility as an ‘incinerator,’ raising concerns about potential environmental and health impacts, particularly due to its location at 510 Summerhill Road, Wollert.
Lack of communication regarding the consultation process was also a shared concern of many who attended EPA’s Conference of Interested Person sessions in June.
EPA Manager, Permissioning and Licenses Stephen Adamthwaite said the EPA must assess any development licence application against section 69(3) of the EPA Act, including any impact of the proposed project on human health and the environment.
“EPA posted the information on the Engage Victoria website and must take into account any submissions from interested parties in making its decision. This is required by section 52 of the Environment Protection Act 2017,” he said.
“If a Development Licence is granted, it will include strict conditions, backed by law. The project would then require an EPA Operating Licence, also with strict conditions.
“In this case, the proposed facility would also require planning permission from the DTP.”
Regarding communication and environmental concerns, a Cleanaway spokesperson said it was the ‘job of the proponent to take the local community on the journey, to educate them, to meaningfully engage and listen to, and address their concerns.’
“Cleanaway has conducted extensive community engagement in the local community, including in-person and online information sessions, letterbox drops, [and hosting a] dedicated webpage, and hotline,” they said.
“The environmental risk assessment completed shows that emissions, air quality, and human health are readily and safely managed by the technology proposed. The moving grate and flue gas treatment technology proposed for the MERC has proven to be safe and reliable over many years and many hundreds of installations across Europe, Asia, and the USA.”
Politicians unite
Several politicians have united in opposition to the facility, including Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny who is sponsoring the NO Northern Incinerator Wollert community’s group parliamentary petition.
Member for Mill Park and Minister for Climate and Energy Lily D’Ambrosio, Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage, and Federal Member for Scullin Andrew Giles are also backing the petition.
Both Ms Halfpenny and Ms D’Ambrosio voiced their opposition to the project, citing concerns raised by residents.
“Petition organisers have researched this issue thoroughly and residents tell me they are worried about how close the facility will be to homes, the number of trucks and other traffic on local roads,” Ms Halfpenny said.
“They are also concerned about the emissions from these facilities with particular concerns about air quality and their children’s health.
“Residents in the north already tolerate a number of waste industries such as large recycling plants, land fill, mining, and the well-established Yarra Valley water-waste-to-energy plant.
“Wollert residents have raised their serious concerns with me, including the proximity of the project to existing homes, concerns of increased industrial traffic on Summerhill Road, the significant height of the project, as well as environmental concerns,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
For more information on the proposal, visit www.engage.vic.gov.au/cleanaway-operations-pty-ltd-app024914, and for the parliamentary petition, visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/melbourne-energy-and-resource-centre.
The second submission period will close at 11.59pm on November 19. Comments can be submitted via the link to the Engage Victoria website provided above.
