BREAKING NEWS: Cleanaway has just withdrawn its contentious application for a development license for the proposed Waste to Energy (WtE) facility in Wollert, Melbourne. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was set to make a decision on the project at 510 Summerhill Road on August 30, 2023, but Cleanaway pulled the application just before the deadline, according to reports.
This urgent development follows Recycling Victoria granting Cleanaway an increased waste burning cap of 760,000 tonnes per year on August 17, doubling the original limit of 380,000 tonnes. This expanded capacity would account for approximately 13 percent of Victoria’s waste directed to landfill and is projected to generate electricity for 140,000 homes and businesses.
Residents opposed to the project had gathered at a community meeting at Whittlesea’s council offices on August 31, unaware of the withdrawal. Whittlesea Mayor Martin Taylor previously indicated that the council rejected Cleanaway’s planning application in December 2024, reflecting the community’s strong opposition.
Local activist Cath Rousse criticized the EPA for not informing those who submitted feedback on the WtE facility. She emphasized the need for transparency, stating that such facilities are not permitted in areas like Sydney or the ACT.
Furthermore, Lawrie Cox, a councillor from the Ganbu Gulinj Ward, expressed deep concern about the potential placement of a commercial incinerator near residential areas. “Having a commercial industrial incinerator within a kilometre of residential housing is simply unacceptable,” he said.
Local resident Julie Ahmad, an administrator for the No Northern Incinerator Facebook group, described the lack of public awareness regarding the project, saying, “There’s been a complete lack of consultation.” Cleanaway has claimed to have engaged with the community since the project was first announced in 2021, stating that they provided various engagement opportunities throughout 2023 and 2024.
The proposed Melbourne Energy Resource Recovery Centre (MERC) is one of several WtE projects undergoing scrutiny as part of a parliamentary inquiry initiated on August 26. This inquiry, backed by MP Rachel Payne, will focus on consultation processes, site locations, and the long-term impacts of such projects on communities.
“This is not just about waste management; it raises critical questions about environmental health and community safety,” Payne stated.
Wollert residents, along with campaigners from surrounding areas, have rallied at Parliament House to support this inquiry, underscoring the growing concern over the rapid expansion of the WtE industry in Victoria.
As Cleanaway prepares to submit a revised application, the future of the MERC remains uncertain. The community continues to voice its opposition, demanding greater accountability and transparency regarding waste management strategies in their area.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it impacts the local community and the future of waste management in Victoria.
