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.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council stated its "total opposition" to the Veolia Woodlawn Advanced Energy facility near Tarago.
Blacktown City Council
Played a key role in opposing the proposed Eastern Creek incinerator.
Richmond Valley Council
Paused active investigations of EfW facilities and focused on other waste streams like food organics and recycling.
References
- Blacktown City Council 2025, Say NO to Eastern Creek Incinerator community rally, Blacktown City Council, Blacktown. Available at: https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Say-NO-to-Eastern-Creek-Incinerator-community-rally
- City of Greater Geelong 2025, Advocacy against Lara incinerator continues, City of Greater Geelong, Geelong. Available at: https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/planning/news/item/8dd405035393300.aspx
- City of Sydney 2019, 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 2022, Council stands with Tarago community on energy from waste, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Goulburn. Available at: https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/Council-stands-with-Tarago-community-on-energy-from-waste
- Lithgow City Council 2022, Waste-to-energy facility ruled out for Wallerawang, NSW, but industry…, ABC News, Lithgow. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/wallerawang-waste-to-energy-plans-scrapped-nsw/101094346
- Merri-bek City Council 2024, Consultation on Wollert Waste to Energy Incinerator Plant, Climate Action Merri-bek, Merri-bek. Available at: 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 2025, Council opposes law change that could revive incinerator plans in Matraville, Randwick City Council, Randwick. Available at: 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 2025, No energy-from-waste facility proposed for Richmond Valley, Richmond Valley Council, Casino. Available at: https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/no-energy-from-waste-facility-proposed-for-richmond-valley/