Geelong Sustainability is assisting local residents to campaign against a proposed massive waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerator in McManus Rd, Lara. Prospect Hill International is seeking licences from the EPA and the Planning Minister to build an incinerator that would burn 400,000 tonnes of municipal, commercial and industrial waste each year for 25 years!
WtE incinerators are fossil fuel plants in disguise ~ only more toxic and less efficient. Incinerators do not mitigate the need for landfill and they are the most expensive way to treat waste. They emit deadly forever chemicals and toxic pollutants that travel long distances and bio-accumulate in the environment.
The community has well-founded fears about the impacts on human health and the environment. There are 17 schools or childcare centres within a 5km radius of the site and many residential homes in Lara and Corio. The new Lara West Urban Growth Zone is 2.7km away.
The massive plant will be a visual eyesore to tourists arriving by car, train or ferry to our region. At 80m high the chimney is taller than the light towers at Kardinia Park and the MCG!
If it’s allowed to go ahead, the incinerator would have a significant adverse impact on the amenity of the northern suburbs and our whole region. It would also impede Geelong’s transition to a clean energy, cleantech regional hub and our net zero by 2035 target.
We can’t burn our way out of climate change nor our addiction to plastics. We know we need to build a strong community campaign to stop this project.
PLEASE SHARE
Public Meeting: Lara Big Incinerator
Come along to learn more about the Big Lara Incinerator project and its implications for our city’s vision, public health, amenity and the environment. Hear from residents and a panel of leaders in public health, waste management and climate change. Local and state government politicians will be attending.
When: Monday 21st August, 6.30 for 7.00pm start to 8.30pm
Where: Lara Golf Club, 125 Elcho Rd (off Bacchus Marsh Rd)
RSVP: Bookings required via Eventbrite for this free event
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/public-meeting-lara-big-incinerator-tickets-693743624857
E-Petition to Legislative Council
Please help share our e-petition to the Legislative Council, which will be sponsored by Dr Sarah Mansfield MLC.
We’ve got 10 weeks to get thousands of signatures from Victorian residents! A hard copy version is also available, email vicki@geelongsustainability.org.au
Action
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to not impose an oversized, unsafe and unnecessary waste incinerator in the region and reject planning permit PA2001035 and development licence APP1004200.
More info / get involved? Geelong Sustainability are setting up a small campaign team, if anyone has some time to assist further. Contact GS Climate Advocate, Vicki Perrett on vicki@geelongsustainability.org.au
For more information visit GS campaign page
Information: Geelong Sustainability.
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