Energy-from-waste COUNCIL opposition
AUSTRALIAN COUNCILs
City of sydney
"Waste to energy technology is not a sustainable waste management option as it treats waste as a single use commodity, the City of Sydney will pursue an effective circular economy strategy, prioritising the reduction of waste and, where not possible, a recycling strategy that effectively re-uses waste wherever possible; waste to energy plants contribute to emissions and are not renewable as they depend on single use waste for fuel"
Randwick City Council
Strongly opposes the Matraville incinerator proposal, raising concerns about its potential revival and supporting local campaigns against it, including the Matraville Precinct Committee.
City of Greater Geelong
The City of Greater Geelong council continues to object to the Lara waste-to-energy incinerator, expressing concerns about its proximity to residential areas and potential health and environmental impacts, and advocating for its cancellation.
Merri-bek Council
Merri-bek Council has a policy against supporting thermal waste-to-energy technologies like incineration, and has reaffirmed its opposition to waste-to-energy incineration.
Lithgow Council
Lithgow Council opposed the NSW Government's plan for energy from waste.
COUNCIL RAISED CONCERNS
In 2021, Lithgow City Council opposed the NSW Government’s plan to designate Lithgow as one of four regional areas chosen for Energy-from-Waste. Then-Mayor Ray Thompson criticised the lack of consultation and raised concerns about environmental and health impacts, stating the community was “blindsided” by the proposal.
QUESTIONED RISK MODELLING
“We have seen no modelling of the cumulative and long-term health and environmental impacts. We don’t understand why or accept that these activities should be concentrated in Lithgow and yet not allowed in Sydney where the bulk of the waste is created. Communities oppose these developments for good reason. Even the government’s advice acknowledges that food production needs to be limited around these facilities.” Then-Mayor Ray Thompson
QUESTIONED GROWTH DATA
“Media announcements which accompanied the plan’s release suggested that these activities could create economic growth in the regions, but there was no accompanying information, or proposals from the NSW Government in relation to how these jobs could be assured.” Then-Mayor Ray Thompson
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED
The ‘biggest outpouring of public outrage in the past decade’ was seen as the catalyst for dismissal of several Lithgow Council members at the last election who had refused to rule out supporting the development.
NEW COUNCIL DOUBLES DOWNIn 2025, when the EPA once again named Wallerawang a potential site, the current Council formally voted on a position against any Energy-from-Waste within the Lithgow LGA based on feedback from the community. The Mayor of Lithgow, Cassandra Coleman encouraged the public to take the opportunity to voice their concerns to the EPA during the consultation process that ended on 16th May 2025.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
In 2021, the Council publicly declared its total opposition to any Energy-from-Waste or incineration facilities within the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Government Area. They emphasised that they had no direct input into the NSW Government’s Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan, which included the Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct, and committed to supporting the community’s stance to prioritise environmental and public health outcomes.
To maintain transparency and inform residents, the Council commissioned a paid advertisement in the Tarago Times outlining its position on the Veolia proposal. Councillors also attended meetings with concerned residents and Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman to discuss the waste incinerator proposal.
The Council formally requested the NSW Government to undertake an immediate review of the Chief Scientist’s Report on Energy from Waste. “We are united in our opposition to waste to energy projects in our region, and will be responding strongly to the Veolia proposal based on emissions and absolute protection of the environment, including the health of humans, livestock and biodiversity.”
Recognising the limitations of their authority over state-significant developments, the Council advocated for community compensation. They proposed the inclusion of a capital infrastructure levy equivalent to 1.5% of the development’s capital cost and an ongoing levy of $20 per tonne of waste processed, aiming to fund regional development and employment opportunities.
In 2022, the Council identified 53 specific issues in the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the proposed facility. These concerns encompassed odour management, emissions monitoring, air quality assessments, traffic impacts, potential effects on local water sources, and the adequacy of community consultation.
YASS VALLEY COUNCIL & Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council highlighted that the emission plumes from the Energy-from-Waste incinerator site in Tarago would impact the Yass Valley communities of Sutton, Gundaroo and residents residing to the east of Yass’ LGA.
Goulburn Mulwaree worked alongside neighboring councils, such as Yass Valley Council and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council who also formally opposed the proposal. Former General Manager of Yass Valley Council, Chris Berry said “Despite this being out of our Local Government area, research has shown that the smell and toxins will affect the Yass Valley,”.
Goulburn Mulwaree worked alongside neighboring councils, such as Yass Valley Council and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council who also formally opposed the proposal. Former General Manager of Yass Valley Council, Chris Berry said “Despite this being out of our Local Government area, research has shown that the smell and toxins will affect the Yass Valley,”.
Blacktown City Council
Blacktown City Council played a key role in opposing the proposed Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY FORUMCouncil held a community meeting at the Minchinbury Community Hall, to discuss the Eastern Creek Energy-from-Waste incinerator.
STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATIONBlacktown City Council worked alongside neighboring councils, environmental groups, and local businesses to present a united front against the incinerator. This coalition amplified their advocacy efforts and reinforced the community’s stance against the project.
PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRYThen-Mayor Stephen Bali led a delegation to the NSW Parliament, advocating for a public inquiry into EfW technology. This effort resulted in a parliamentary inquiry that recommended against approving the Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY RALLIESBlacktown Council organised and supported community rallies to galvanize public opposition.
The Council’s “Say NO to Eastern Creek Incinerator” rally was held at Minchinbury Oval, which drew significant local participation and featured speeches from political figures, including Federal MP and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
PIVOTAL ROLEThrough real community engagement and representation, persistent legal challenges, political engagement, and community activism, Blacktown City Council played a pivotal role in halting the Eastern Creek incinerator project, safeguarding the health and environment of its residents.
COMMUNITY FORUMCouncil held a community meeting at the Minchinbury Community Hall, to discuss the Eastern Creek Energy-from-Waste incinerator.
STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATIONBlacktown City Council worked alongside neighboring councils, environmental groups, and local businesses to present a united front against the incinerator. This coalition amplified their advocacy efforts and reinforced the community’s stance against the project.
PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRYThen-Mayor Stephen Bali led a delegation to the NSW Parliament, advocating for a public inquiry into EfW technology. This effort resulted in a parliamentary inquiry that recommended against approving the Eastern Creek incinerator.
COMMUNITY RALLIESBlacktown Council organised and supported community rallies to galvanize public opposition.
The Council’s “Say NO to Eastern Creek Incinerator” rally was held at Minchinbury Oval, which drew significant local participation and featured speeches from political figures, including Federal MP and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
PIVOTAL ROLEThrough real community engagement and representation, persistent legal challenges, political engagement, and community activism, Blacktown City Council played a pivotal role in halting the Eastern Creek incinerator project, safeguarding the health and environment of its residents.
Richmond Valley Council
Paused active investigations of EfW facilities and focused on other waste streams like food organics and recycling.
References
- Blacktown City Council - https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Say-NO-to-Eastern-Creek-Incinerator-community-rally, https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/About-Council/Our-initiatives/Energy-from-Waste-Facility-in-Eastern-Creek, https://stephenbali.com.au/news/speeches/eastern-creek-incinerator-defeated/, https://pollutionwatch.org.au/2023/08/finally-malouf-throws-in-the-towel-on-his-waste-to-energy-incinerator-in-western-sydney/, https://www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au/featured/item/2169-rally-puts-state-government-on-notice, https://insidelocalgovernment.com.au/blacktown-mayor-welcomes-new-incinerator-rules/, https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Community-forum-Feb-17-2018
- City of Greater Geelong - https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/planning/news/item/8dd405035393300.aspx
- City of Sydney - Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18 November 2019: Item 13.6 Waste to Energy, City of Sydney, Sydney. Available at: https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/documents/s36151/Waste%20to%20Energy.pdf & https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=1624
- Goulburn Mulwaree Council/Yass Valley Council/Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council - https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/Council-stands-with-Tarago-community-on-energy-from-waste, https://aboutregional.com.au/goulburn-mulwaree-council-lodges-total-opposition-to-tarago-energy-from-waste-facility/413038, https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/Council-response-to-Waste-to-Energy-regulation, https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/Council-stands-with-Tarago-community-on-energy-from-waste, https://aboutregional.com.au/tuckerman-joins-the-fight-to-stop-the-tarago-incinerator-project-now-attention-shifts-to-angus-taylor/386416, https://yassvalleytimes.com.au/news/council-against-tarago-waste-incinerator, https://aboutregional.com.au/goulburn-mulwaree-council-joins-fight-to-stop-tarago-incinerator-project/, https://region.com.au/passionate-pleas-from-the-community-lead-to-queanbeyan-council-denouncing-the-tarago-incinerator/536935/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThere%20hasn't%20been%20a,in%20the%20Environmental%20Impact%20Statement.%E2%80%9D, https://anglicancg.org.au/the-gift-of-listening/#:~:text=Bishop%20Mark%20Short%20recently%20conducted,political%20perspectives%20and%20local%20organisations, https://www.notaragoincinerator.com/plume-plotter
- Lithgow City Council - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/wallerawang-waste-to-energy-plans-scrapped-nsw/101094346, https://insidelocalgovernment.com.au/lithgow-says-states-energy-from-waste-plan-stinks/, https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/lithgow-council-opposes-waste-to-energy/, https://insidelocalgovernment.com.au/lithgow-council-hits-reset-after-power-station-conversion-ruled-out/, https://www.miragenews.com/council-revamped-bold-debate-fresh-strategies-1346975/, https://www.bluemts.com.au/news/lithgow-council-opposes-waste-to-energy/, https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/8904632/mayor-challenges-waste-from-energy-facility-in-lithgow-region/
- Merri-bek City Council - https://climateactionmerribek.org/2024/02/20/consultation-on-wollert-waste-to-energy-plant/ & https://climateactionmerribek.org/2024/10/08/petition-local-mps-support-no-waste-incinerator-at-wollert-merribek-candidates-support-pledge-for-no-burning-plastic/
- Randwick City Council - https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/news-items/2025/march/council-opposes-law-change-that-could-revive-matraville-incinerator-plans
- Richmond Valley Council - https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/no-energy-from-waste-facility-proposed-for-richmond-valley/